Chronicle Editor
Thandeka Moyo-Ndlovu, Senior Health Reporter
THE Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has constructed 121 new clinics and rehabilitated 55 health facilities to the tune of $795 million using devolution funds.
This development has minimised the distance that members of the public walk to the nearest health facility which should be at least 5km according to global standards.
The latest Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee report shows that 12 percent of rural households in the country still travel more than 10km to the nearest health facility.
The proportion is highest in Matabeleland North where it was reported that 18 percent of the population travel more than 10km to the nearest clinic.
A consolidated report from the Ministry however shows that since 2019, about $796 million has been used to fund the construction, rehabilitation and retooling of health facilities in both urban and rural areas.
Zimbabwe has 32 urban councils and 60 Rural District Councils (RDCs), which fall under the Ministry.
The Second Republic has committed to the implementation of the devolution programme through Treasury’s disbursement of $703 million allocated to 92 local authorities in the 2019 National Budget under intergovernmental transfers.
Government committed $2,9 billion to accelerate programmes implementation in 2020.
In 2021, $42,5 billion was allocated towards devolution. The funds were earmarked for capital projects that benefit citizens in service areas that include schools, clinics, roads, plant and equipment, water, sewer and solid waste management, electricity and other capital activities that may be deemed necessary for service provision.
The philosophy behind devolution is to eliminate marginalisation by decentralising power to provincial and metropolitan councils.
In many areas water and sanitation issues are being addressed, schools and medical facilities are being constructed, road rehabilitation programmes are also ongoing.
In an interview, Local Government Deputy Minister Marian Chombo said more than $796 million was spent on construction and rehabilitation of clinics countrywide.
“Since 2019 we have managed to construct 121 new clinics across the country and rehabilitated 55 using devolution funds. Under health we were targeting to do 212 projects in total and so far we have managed to complete 176,” said Deputy Minister Chombo.
She said of the 121 completed clinics, 74 were constructed in the southern region which include two in Matabeleland North, 21 in Matabeleland South, 22 in Masvingo and 32 in Midlands province.
Of the 55 rehabilitated clinics, 38 are from the southern region while 17 are in the northern region. In the northern region, 11 clinics were constructed in Mashonaland West, 13 in Mashonaland East, nine in Mashonaland Central and 12 in Manicaland province.
“In Bulawayo our major project was the rehabilitation of the Thorngrove Infectious Disease Hospital which was completed at a total cost of about $80 million. We also embarked on a retooling of health facilities exercise where we spent $3, 5 million in Bulawayo,” said Deputy Minister Chombo.
“In Matabeleland North we have constructed Tiki and Mkombo Clinics under Kusile Rural District Council Lupane. In Matabeleland South the constructed clinics include Makorokoro, Mbimba, Malalume, Somnene, Gwambe, Nhlupho, Nswazi, Denje and Palawani.”
Part of the Matabeleland South has Chibali, Mazunga, Shashe, Mashaba, Montrosi, Mawabeni, Zimbili, Shale and Umlugululi.Deputy Minister Chombo added that a total of $15, 5 million was spent on retooling health facilities countrywide. @thamamoe
Online Reporter