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“The Government is committed to ensuring the provision of quality healthcare. In pursuit of this, in February 2009, the Government developed the National Health Strategy, which sought to reverse the decline in the performance of the country’s health delivery system,” said Dr Mpofu.

He encouraged the graduates to participate in the socio-economic development of the country in order to make the public sector active in the provision of health care services.

“The Government’s target is to have the highest possible level of health and quality of life for all its citizens and this can only be achieved through the combined efforts of individuals, communities and business organisations,” he said.

Dr Mpofu said there was need to correct the misconception that public health institutions provided inferior health services compared to private health institutions.

In her report, UBH chief executive officer Mrs Nonhlanhla Ndlovu said the institution’s School of Nursing had consistently achieved very high standards over the last three years.

“The overall pass rate is 74,4 percent and these results translate to excellent service delivery,” said Mrs Ndlovu.

She however said there was urgent need to rehabilitate the water and sewer reticulation system as well as install new lifts at the School of Nursing.

Mrs Ndlovu also said there was need to increase the capacity of surgical wards by building two new wards as well as expand the school of nursing.

“We are appealing to the Government to avail funds to expand the School of Nursing to reduce overcrowding,” she said.

The acting principal tutor, Mrs Joice Ndabazokufa, said the School of Nursing had outdated reading material.

“The school has one small library with limited resources and reading space. Most of the reading is obsolete and I appeal to well-wishers to donate books.

“The library has two computers connected to the Internet and the school also needs a heavy duty photocopier,” she said.

In response to the challenges facing the institution, Dr Mpofu pledged to help alleviate the school’s problems.

“We support the institution that serves the health of the people. With Government intervention, we will indeed buy books, photocopiers and computers for Mpilo Central Hospital and UBH.

One of the graduates, Mr Tawanda Kapita obtained the second highest mark in the State Final Examinations countrywide.