President Emmerson Mnangagwa claims a hospital being built in Matabeleland North’s Lupane area will be the largest in Zimbabwe.
On Tuesday, March 22nd, the Newsday ran an article titled “Luapne Provincial hospital to be the largest: ED”
In the story, Mnangagwa was quoted addressing thousands of his party’s supporters in Binga, Matabeleland North province at a rally.
He said, “We have Lupane Provincial hospital in Matabeleland North. It had taken years and years of not being constructed. Then I took a soldier and appointed him as the Health Minister (Vice President Constantino Chiwenga) who is building the hospital, and that hospital will be the biggest hospital in all provinces.”
The Facts:
Upon completion, Lupane hospital will have the capacity to admit 250 patients, so claims by President Mnangagwa that the hospital will be the biggest in the country are misleading.
According to the Parirenyatwa Hospital website, the hospital has a bed capacity of 1800, and a workforce in excess of 2000, making it the largest hospital in the country.
Harare Central hospital has a 1 200 bed capacity while the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) has a bed capacity of 650.
CONCLUSION: Lupane provincial hospital will not be the largest hospital upon its completion as they are several hospitals in the country which have a bigger bed capacity.
