The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Health Reporter
THE casualty section at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital has earned a national award in the discharge of quality health services that are benchmarked on global standards.
The referral hospital was also honoured with the third prize for the best quality improvement team – trailing Gweru Provincial and Bulawayo’s Ingutsheni hospitals.
All provincial and central hospitals in the country participated in the competition.
The competition was superintended by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – to promote excellence in healthcare practices nationwide.
The completion was benchmarked on the 5S-Kaizen-TQM approach – which is a step-by-step approach that originated in Japanese industry as a continuous improvement strategy.
Through the 5S-Kaizen-TQM approach – hospitals across the country are encouraged to adopt innovative approaches to streamline processes, optimise resources and ultimately enhance the quality of healthcare services to their communities.
The hospital’s public relations officer, Sister Clara Mutasa said the accolades highlight the hospital’s commitment towards efficient healthcare services delivery.
She said five departments at the hospital – the casualty, children, maternity, special baby care sections and pharmacy participated in the completion.
“This recognition underscores the need for our healthcare professionals to continue improving patient care and services. Such accolades do not only validate the hospital’s unwavering commitment to excellence, but also inspire further efforts to continuously enhance healthcare standards and patient outcomes.
“We are progressing well on quality improvement services with the main goal being to improve working conditions for health workers by creating a conducive environment for them. With the reduction of costs and time, we have created a working area that is user friendly for our staff, thereby allowing them to offer efficient services,” she said.
Mrs Mutasa said the hospital’s success in the competition reflects its commitment to excellence, while also serving as an inspiration for other healthcare institutions to strive for continuous improvement in delivering healthcare services.
“We have achieved high standards of quality care and improved health outcomes – coupled with positive feedback from our patients and other stakeholders,” she said.
One of the project’s focal persons, Mrs Rachel Magutsa said the project has significantly boosted the morale of their staff
Sister-in-charge, Mrs Tsitsi Tauya said feedback from the patients suggests that the improvement in quality care coincided with the implementation of the 5S Kaizen initiative in 2022.
A nurse at the hospital, Ms Melisa Kwembeya said they are now working under a conducive environment.
“The environment is now conducive for nurses as we are now fully resourced, and able to respond efficiently to all cases,” she said.
Speaking during the Project for Improvement of Health Services Through 5S-Kaizen KQM meeting recently, Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Shinichi Yamanaka said the initiative improves the hospital environment, while motivating staff.
He said the 5S-Kaizen requires limited resources, but can greatly improve the hospital.
