adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A majority of clinics in Bulilima district are operating without running water, some for almost a year, because of ageing engine pumps, an official has said. In a report for the first three quarters of the 2013, Bulilima district medical officer, Dr Nobert Singine said only six out of 15 clinics had reliable water sources.
“Our clinics have water challenges due to ageing water engines with some going for more than a year without running water,” Dr Singine said.
“Generally all our water engines are old and need replacement. As a result health workers resort to using water from unprotected sources in the community.”
Dr Singine, however, said efforts were under way to establish back up water systems in the form of boreholes adding that clinics in Madlambudzi, Makhulela, Masendu, Sikhathini, Huwana and Dombodema have benefited.
He also Hingwe Clinic maternity wing was recently shut down as it was falling apart and was declared unfit for human habitation.
At the moment the district has four functional maternity facilities with inadequate furniture and linen, Dr Singine said.
He said the remaining 11 health facilities do not have maternity wards, resulting in the increase of home deliveries.
“In the first quarter of the year the district recorded 33 home deliveries, while 55 were recorded in the second quarter and 95 in the third quarter,” he said.
There have been reports that some health workers were threatening to abandon stations that do not have running water.
Dr Singine also said shortage of skilled personnel to administer resuscitation of newborn babies had also increased the number of still births recorded in the district.
He also said expecting mothers were not accessing proper diets as health personnel were not able to monitor them once they leave health centres.
Online Reporter