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Tawanda Mangoma in Chiredzi
OVER 10 000 villagers in the remote Gudo communal lands here, have been thrown a lifeline following the commissioning of a $185 000 clinic.
The health facility was built by the local community in partnership with Chiredzi Rural District Council and Lowveld sugar producer, Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe.
Speaking during the commissioning of the clinic, Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Josaya Hungwe yesterday lauded Chiredzi RDC for fulfilling some of its targets set under the 100-day plan under the new dispensation.
“President Mnangagwa set the 100-day plan and we are here to witness the opening of a clinic, which after touring, I ended up concluding that it’s a hospital,” he said.
“This clinic is a good example of a public-private-community partnership with the Gudo community on one hand, Tongaat Hulett on the other as well as the Chiredzi Rural District Council and the Chiredzi Community Share Ownership Trust, on the other hand.”
Minister Hungwe challenged the corporate community to emulate Tongaat in complementing Government efforts, in providing health and educational facilities around communities they operate.
Mr Mikia Majatame, who stood in for Chiredzi RDC chief executive Mr Isaac Matsilele, said council was working on several other projects under the 100-day plan that were nearing completion across the district.
“The Gudo Clinic is one of the projects that are being undertaken by your council. The other projects include the Chiredzi to Hippo Valley road, that was rehabilitated and tarred by council. An additional 4,1km was tarred, bringing the total length of the tarred road to 7,4km.
Mr Matsilele said work on the Gwaseche and Masivamele Clinic projects was at an advanced stage council had also connected piped water at Rupangwana and Chibwedziva clinics.
THZ managing director Mr Sydney Mtsambiwa said his company responded after Chief Gudo (Mr Karukai Mavivi) appealed for assistance to build a clinic in his area five years ago, as his subjects were travelling 27km to the nearest health centre.
“Sometime in 2013, Tongaat Hulett was approached by Chief Gudo to assist the community with the completion of a clinic which was at window level. Our understanding was that people had to walk for long distances which extended to 27km to access the nearby health clinic,” he said.
“Sometimes they had to cross to Manicaland through the crocodile infested Save River. If the river was flooded, then access to health care became impossible for villagers with women giving birth in their homes,’’ said Mtsambiwa.
Chief Gudo paid tribute to Tongaat, Chiredzi RDC and the community for joining hands to build the clinic in his area.
Online Reporter