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Walter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
INCESSANT power cuts have forced Masvingo General Hospital to suspend surgical operations.

Scores of patients with problems that need surgical operations have been turned away and their appointments indefinitely postponed due to rampant power outages.

One patient who was scheduled to have a minor operation said her doctor keeps on shifting the dates, citing power cuts.

“I’m supposed to undergo a minor operation at Masvingo General Hospital but my doctor keeps on changing the dates. Last week, he finally said I’ll have the operation on a day when there’s electricity,” said Memory Mafura of Rujeko.

Another patient, Tinomuda Gumbochuma from Mushandike Resettlement area said he has all but given up on his operation.

“I was diagnosed with an appendix problem early last month and was booked for theatre last month at Masvingo General Hospital. Up to now I’m being told there is no electricity at the hospital for the theatre to operate,” said Gumbochuma.

Masvingo provincial medical director Dr Amadeus Shamu confirmed the development and said the hospital has asked for preferential treatment from Zesa.

“For now, the hospital has suspended all booked operations due to incessant power cuts.

“There is a generator but it cannot be allowed to run for the whole day as it only assists during emergencies. The health centre has applied for a dedicated power line so that there will be an uninterrupted power supply,” he said.