At CURE Children’s Hospital of Zimbabwe, Fridays have started to feel a bit like a superhero crossover episode. The newly launched Cerebral Palsy Multidisciplinary Clinic brings together experts from across CURE departments for the benefit of the patients we serve.
Surgeons, physiotherapists, prosthetists and orthotics specialists, occupational therapists, nurses, and spiritual care are all working side by side to help children with cerebral palsy. It’s the first clinic of its kind in the entire CURE network, and participants are pretty thrilled with the way it’s reshaping how they work.
“So far, we’ve held four Friday clinics, and they’ve gone very well,” said Dr Laurence Wicks, the hospital’s Medical Director.“Each child receives a comprehensive assessment, and the team is learning from one another as we go and in some ways teaching each other new ways to approach complex cases.”
For Panashe, a physiotherapist, the collaboration has been eye-opening. “I’ve learned a lot about hand therapy from Juliet, our occupational therapist.” Aspects such as dexterity and fine motor assessment were among the crucial things we learnt.
“Dr. Wicks also pushed us to look beyond muscles and movement to the child’s posture and neurological health.”
Cynthia, the Lead Physiotherapist, noted that the clinic’s most significant advantage is its efficiency. “Having everyone in the same room makes the process faster and more thorough. Nothing gets left out.”
Dumisani, from prosthetics and orthotics, chimed in saying, “We all share the same goal, but each of us brings a different angle.”
Pastor Method from Spiritual Ministry believes that the multidisciplinary approach touches every aspect of a child’s healing and, in a sense, is a microcosm of the hospital’s holistic approach. “After hearing the medical perspectives, we understand each child more deeply, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.”
Throughout 2026, the Multidisciplinary Clinic will be held once a month, on the fourth Friday of each month. With the sessions already planned for the coming months, this superhero team is just getting started!
Your support ensures that children with cerebral palsy in Zimbabwe continue to receive this world-class, holistic care. Donate here to support the clinic.
About the CURE Children’s Hospital of Zimbabwe
Established in April 2021, CURE Zimbabwe is the first and only hospital in the country of 14 million people to provide orthopedic care for disabilities such as clubfoot, bowed legs, and knock knees to children regardless of their economic status. The teaching hospital has 18 beds, three operating theaters, and an outpatient clinic. The hospital was refurbished by the Zimbabwe Orthopedic Trust in partnership with the Zimbabwean government and is located adjacent to United Bulawayo Hospital in Bulawayo.
