Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Mpilo Central Hospital, Dr Narcisius Dzvanga, has announced his retirement from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, concluding a long career in public service.
In an official memo circulated to all hospital staff today, Dr. Dzvanga formally declared the end of his tenure.
“I wish to inform you all of my imminent retirement from service effective from 25 December, 2025. My last day in office is on 24 December, 2025,” the memo read.
Dr Dzvanga, was acting as Chief Executive Officer at United Bulawayo Hospital (UBH), when he was appointed in 2022 as the substantive CMO at Mpilo Central Hospital.
His appointment, however, caused an uproar as some activists felt the government had overlooked the hospital’s Clinical Medical Director, Professor Solwayo Ngwenya, who had been acting in that position and had applied for the post.
Read:https://cite.org.zw/prof-solwayo-ngwenya-overlooked-for-mpilo-hospitals-top-job/
Controversy erupted in November 2023 again when Dr Dzvanga’s contract as chief medical officer at Mpilo Hospital was extended to 2024, despite him having reached retirement age in December 2023.
In his retirement notice, Dr Dzvanga expressed deep appreciation for his colleagues and the institution that housed the final chapter of his career.
“It has been a great pleasure and honour to work with all of you at this hospital, and to end my long career at this historic institution,” he stated, adding a note of finality and accomplishment.
“I have run my race and finished.”
Signing off with seasonal greetings and well-wishes, he concluded his letter saying, “I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. God bless and protect you all.”
Dr Dzvanga’s departure from the senior administrative role at one of Zimbabwe’s largest and busiest referral hospitals marks a significant change in leadership.
Mpilo Central Hospital, a cornerstone of healthcare in the southern region, faces ongoing challenges including resource constraints and high patient loads.
Insiders said they do not know when the search for a successor to fill the position of Chief Medical Officer will start.
Staff reactions within the hospital have been mixed, with some expressing respect for Dr Dzvanga’s service while acknowledging the challenges that have been bedevilling the institution.
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