adminThupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
BEITBRIDGE villagers have appealed to government and its partners to avail resources for construction of more primary health care centres and to equip the sole referral hospital with machinery for specialised medical services.
The district has an estimated population of 170 000 with two thirds of the people resident in its rural component and relying on one referral hospital and 16 clinics.
The 140-bed hospital is also strained with a 13 000 daily transit population which uses the border to access the country or South Africa.
In separate interviews, the villagers said they were willing to work with government and development agencies in addressing the shortages in health facilities.
Chief David Stauze of Beitbridge West said: “In town the challenge is that when people go to the hospital they are given a long list to buy somewhere because there is shortage of medication.
“The situation is also worrisome in the rural areas where people are walking for longer distances to access the nearest health institutions. It is our wish that the government and its partners look into the provision of quality health services as a matter of urgency”.
A resettled farmer, Mr Jabulani Makhado said it was important for the government and the rural district council to construct a clinic after every 10km radius or on a ratio of one clinic to between 10 and 20 village heads.
He also urged the Ministry of Health and Child Care to resuscitate the training of village health workers and to build more clinics in the resettlement areas.
“So far people in all the two constituencies (Beitbridge East and West) are travelling for between 15 and 20km to access any form of health care. In addition, the resuscitation of village health workers should be considered,” said Mr Makhado.
“There is also a need to establish modern health referral centres in the district. Currently the only referral centre is located some 150km away from other villages or clinics like Tshikwalakwala, Dzhalukanga and Driehook Resettlement. As concerned villagers we are also of the view that local residents should be given opportunities to train and be deployed in their areas as they appreciate living conditions and their people.”
Mr Enock Kwinika of Lutumba area said it was very critical for members of the community to take a leading role in championing infrastructure development initiatives.
He said development agencies, government and villagers should also embrace a culture of consultancy and working together.
“The government should invest more on building clinics and training health workers with each village getting at least three people. The distance which people cover to the nearest institution should be reduced to below 5km,” said Mr Brighton Sibanda.
Mr Jonathan Mbedzi of Mahapa area said it was important for the Ministry of Health and Child Care to upgrade a few health centres into poly clinics, especially those in rural areas to relieve the pressure at the district hospital.
He said the rural clinics should be electrified and equipped with modern communication technology and resources to improve on the provision of health services.
Online Reporter