Online Reporter
Luthando Mapepa
Correspondent
CHIPINGE District Hospital has been operating without an X-ray machine for almost nine months following the breakdown of their only machine in April.
Patients seeking X-ray services are being turned away and referred to other hospitals.
At least 20 patients seeking X-ray services are being turned away daily, with some forced to seek services from private surgeries at a cost of over US$25.
The hospital’s X-ray machine broke down in April, and patients are now facing challenges in accessing essential medical services.
“I visited Chipinge District Hospital in June after I was referred by nurses at Kondo Clinic to see a doctor for chest complications. I managed to see the medical doctor, who told me to have an X-ray. He said I should look for X-ray services elsewhere since there is no functional X-ray machine at the hospital.
“I went to a surgery in Chipinge town where they charged me R500 for the service, which I think I would have paid less at our public referral hospital,” said a TB patient, who requested anonymity.
Miss Tinashe Kuzuwazuwa, who resides in medium-density suburb of Chipinge, said she also faced a similar challenge when her friend’s mother dislocated her leg earlier this year.
“My friend from Mutema visited Chipinge District Hospital after her mother dislocated her leg while working in the fields.
“Her mother was referred to have an X-ray somewhere, but it was not done because they did not have enough money. They managed to get that service at St Peter’s Mission Hospital in Checheche after raising the transport money,” she said.
This is not the first time that the Chipinge District Hospital X-ray machine has broken down.
In 2022, the machine broke down when the hospital was attending to Chimanimani Bus Disaster victims who were involved in an accident on their way to a church gathering in Masvingo.
The accident claimed the lives of 43 Zion Church of Christ (ZCC) followers.
Chipinge Business and Residents Trust (CBRET) spokesperson, Mr Amato Rungano appealed to Government to intervene so that locals can receive critical health services in their district.
“There is an urgent need to address the situation. Chipinge District Hospital is a referral centre which covers four constituencies.
“All the patients referred to this hospital are facing X-ray services challenges.
“The patients end up being referred to other hospitals, which causes pressure on other health facilities.
“ As residents’ trust, we urge the Ministry of Health and Child Care to ensure the availability of this machine so that people can access this service close to their homes,” said Mr Rungano.
Chipinge District Medical Officer (DMO), Dr Ozzy Matekenya said the hospital’s X-ray machine is now old and continues to have mechanical faults even if repaired.
Dr Matekenya said patients who seek X-ray services are being referred to Mt Selinda or St Peter’s mission hospitals.
“Our X-ray machine is now old. It is cheaper to buy a new one than repair it. However, we have other brand new X-ray machines in the district, which are at Mt Selinda and St Peters mission hospitals, and are functional.
“There is nothing we can do for patients seeking the services at Chipinge District Hospital other than refer them to these hospitals or to private surgeries. The matter is now being handled by our superiors,” said Dr Matekenya.
Chipinge District Hospital has a large catchment area, covering Chipinge rural, Birchenough Bridge, Rusitu, and neighbouring Mozambique.
