Chirumhanzu: The Dominican Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus are playing a vital role in improving healthcare in rural Zimbabwe through their nurse training initiatives at St. Theresa Hospital in Chirumhanzu. Despite limited resources and recent setbacks, the sisters continue to provide quality education and services that are shaping the nation’s health sector.
Founded in 1957, St. Theresa Hospital currently accommodates 180 patients and has become a central hub for medical services in the region. In 2004, the sisters established a school of nursing, initially training primary care nurses and later expanding to registered general nurses by 2006. Since then, the institution has maintained a strong reputation for academic excellence, with graduates achieving a consistent 100 percent pass rate and serving both mission and government hospitals across Zimbabwe.
The program integrates technical training with Christian values, instilling compassion, respect, and integrity in its students. Many young people from the local community have been able to pursue nursing through this initiative, contributing to rural healthcare where shortages of trained staff remain a pressing issue.
However, the institution has faced significant challenges. In 2024, a fire destroyed several school buildings along with students’ belongings, forcing temporary relocations and creating an urgent need for reconstruction. Financial limitations have slowed recovery efforts, and the sisters continue to appeal for support from partners, donors, and government institutions to restore and expand their facilities.
Despite these hardships, enrollment remains strong and the community continues to place high value on the services provided by the hospital and school. The sisters’ holistic approach to training is not only producing competent health professionals but also reinforcing ethical standards essential to the medical field.
Looking ahead, the Dominican sisters plan to rebuild damaged infrastructure and strengthen partnerships to ensure the sustainability of their mission. Their efforts highlight the crucial role of faith-based organizations in addressing healthcare gaps in Zimbabwe, especially in underserved rural areas.