Spotlight on Dr. Chido Zhakata: Championing Paediatric Wellbeing and Diaspora Unity
The Zimbabwe Doctors Association UK (ZDAUK) is proud to shine a spotlight on Dr. Chido Zhakata, who recently represented Zimbabwean excellence on the international stage at the BMJ IHI International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare, held in Utrecht, The Netherlands, from 21–23 May 2025.
Dr. Zhakata had the honour of presenting a poster focused on improving sleep routines in children—a vital yet often under-discussed aspect of paediatric care. Reflecting on her experience, she shared:
"I had the privilege of presenting my poster at the BMJ IHI International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare in Utrecht, Netherlands, this week — and what an incredible experience it was!
My poster presentation focused on improving sleeping routines in children, and it was a fantastic opportunity to exchange ideas and receive thoughtful feedback from a truly engaged audience."
Currently serving as a paediatrics registrar and an Educational Fellow for Paediatrics at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Dr. Zhakata’s journey is one of perseverance, passion, and leadership. After graduating from the University of Zimbabwe in 2014, she completed her internship at United Bulawayo Hospitals before moving to the UK in 2019. Her initial role as a Senior Housing Officer at Leeds Spire Hospital marked the beginning of a journey that would eventually see her thrive in both clinical and educational spheres within the NHS.
But Dr. Zhakata’s impact goes far beyond the hospital walls. She was the founding force behind the WhatsApp platform that laid the groundwork for the creation of ZDAUK—proving that with vision and initiative, community can be built from the simplest of tools. As a member of the ZDAUK committee and a planning committee member of the inaugural ZDA meetup held on 21st September 2024, Dr. Zhakata exemplifies the kind of servant leadership that uplifts others while creating lasting structures for collective success.
Her dedication to both clinical excellence and community empowerment reflects the very ethos of ZDAUK: to celebrate, support, and connect doctors of Zimbabwean heritage working in the UK.
Dr. Zhakata’s presence at the International Forum is a proud moment for us all—not only because of the professional insights she shared, but because of the example she continues to set. Through her work in paediatrics, her advocacy for wellbeing, and her trailblazing role in the Zimbabwean medical diaspora, she stands as a true pioneer.
As we build towards the second ZDAUK Meetup on 20th September 2025, we are inspired by leaders like Dr. Chido Zhakata, who remind us that excellence and service go hand in hand.
