Hwange Medical Company Acquires ICU Ambulance, Celebrates Nursing Graduates at 27th Graduation Ceremony
In a significant step toward enhancing healthcare services in the Hwange district, Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) subsidiary, Hwange Medical Company (HMC), has acquired a state-of-the-art ICU ambulance. This milestone comes just two weeks after celebrating the graduation of 31 nurses from the Hwange School of Nursing, Mining Zimbabwe reports.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The newly acquired diesel-powered Toyota Quantum ambulance, equipped as a mobile Intensive Care Unit (ICU), underscores HCCL’s commitment to providing high-quality emergency healthcare for its employees and the surrounding community.
“The addition of this top-of-the-range ICU ambulance strengthens our medical response capabilities and aligns with our commitment to safety and service. As a coal mining operation, we prioritize diesel-powered vehicles for safety reasons. This is the first of two ambulances we expect this year, further improving our ability to serve the Hwange community and beyond,” the company stated.
This acquisition forms part of HCCL’s broader strategy to support national healthcare initiatives, particularly in underserved areas, by enhancing emergency medical services.
Hwange Medical Company, through its hospital and clinics, offers a wide range of healthcare services, from primary to secondary care, catering to the needs of the entire Hwange urban population. The ICU ambulance significantly enhances the existing emergency response framework, ensuring prompt care for critically ill patients and casualties, particularly during road traffic accidents along the Victoria Falls–Bulawayo highway.
“Our ambulance service has been crucial in Hwange, especially given the distance to specialized care facilities in Bulawayo. The new ICU ambulance boosts our ability to respond to severe emergencies and handle critical care referrals. This advanced medical transport allows us to provide continuous care to patients in transit, potentially saving lives,” the company added.
The new ambulance is expected to benefit both the urban population of Hwange and surrounding rural communities, further highlighting HCCL’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and community welfare.
While HCCL has a long history of providing ambulance services and acting as first responders in the region, this marks its first investment in a high-tier ICU ambulance. This milestone is viewed as a significant step toward transforming Hwange Colliery Hospital into a Center of Medical Excellence, a vision HCCL is pursuing through continuous upgrades to its healthcare infrastructure.
“Ambulances have always been integral to patient care in Hwange, particularly for evacuating casualties over long distances. This latest addition enhances the accessibility, affordability, and reliability of our ambulance services for the local community. It is another step toward achieving universal health coverage,” the company noted.
The introduction of the ICU ambulance aligns with HCCL’s broader strategy to establish Hwange Medical Company as a leading healthcare provider in the region. Future projects include an oncology centre, currently in the feasibility stage, reflecting the company’s goal to provide world-class medical services to employees and the community.
November 2024 has been a landmark month for Hwange Medical Company, marked by the acquisition of the ICU ambulance and the graduation of 31 nurses. A free medical outreach program to Chibhala Village, offering essential services such as dental and eye screenings, demonstrated HCCL’s holistic approach to healthcare. As part of its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, HCCL plans further investments, including the acquisition of a second ICU ambulance by year-end, solidifying HMC’s position as a regional leader in healthcare.