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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter
THE National University of Science and Technology (Nust) has appointed experienced medical doctor, Professor Elopy Sibanda as the institution’s executive dean in the Faculty of Medicine.

Prof Sibanda has 34 years’ experience in the medical field and is expected to play a critical role in re-positioning of Nust into a specialist medical school.

The institution has already started recruiting specialist doctors ahead of its new strategic role.

Cabinet last year resolved that post-Covid-19, Nust in partnership with National Social Security Authority (Nssa), will transform Ekusileni Medical Centre into a specialist medical school.

The university envisages Ekusileni becoming the crux of medical tourism that may generate much-needed foreign currency for the country and provide essential services for locals at affordable costs. Medical tourism results when foreigners visit a country for medical services.

India and South Africa are among the countries that are benefiting from traffic from Zimbabwe as the countries have better facilities to treat most ailments and usually charge less.

In a statement, Nust communication and marketing director Mr Thabani Mpofu said Prof Sibanda brings vast experience that the university needs as it focuses on its role.

“His vast experience in academic, research and administration comes in handy for Nust at a time when the university is recruiting specialists in the Faculty of Medicine as it gears for the transformation of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Ekusileni Hospital into a top specialist facility with many disciplines in post Covid-19,” said Mr Mpofu.

“His major tasks include promoting specialised research and ensuring that the best care available anywhere is readily available for the nation and the Sadc region here at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Ekusileni Hospital.”

He said Nust medical experts were already providing services at the recently opened Ekusileni Medical Centre for Covid-19 patients.

Mr Mpofu said Prof Sibanda is a holder of a Medical Degree from the Medical University of Gdansk in Poland and a Master of Science and a Doctorate in Immunology from Birmingham University in the UK.

He is a clinical immunology and allergy specialist.

“Prof Sibanda served as a lecturer in immunology at the University of Zimbabwe from 1996 to 2009. Thereafter, he was the Sadc Advisor on Health Laboratories, spearheading the establishment of supranational reference laboratories for HIV, TB and malaria in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa,” said Mr Mpofu.

He said he is a member of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe and General Medical Council (GMC) of the United Kingdom. — @nqotshili