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Mukudzei Chingwere recently in Chimanimani
The community in Chimanimani is happy with the restoration of livelihoods for Cyclone Idai victims, especially a full-scale return of health services and repairing of damaged infrastructure.
The Government expedited the construction of permanent homes for Cyclone Idai victims who were still living in a temporary camp, with others now occupying the new houses at Runyararo formerly Westend.
In May, President Mnangagwa dispatched his deputy, Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, to push the restorations that have seen a return to normal service provisions.
Headman Mr Sydney Mukondomi thanked the Government for the restorations.
“We are very happy that we are now getting essential medical services which have also been necessitated by the health posts that were erected by the Government,” he said.
“It is unfortunate that some people are not taking advantage of the health services provided by the Government citing religious beliefs for not getting medical attention.
“More health posts that were created enabled us not to travel long distances and the rehabilitation of roads made it easier for people to access various services and we are really grateful the Government has prioritised these restorations.”
Acting District Medical Officer for Chimanimani, Dr Donatas Mugari, said they followed with medical services to where people had been relocated.
He said they were now offering an expanded programme on immunisation services across the district and efforts were being made to equip some temporary health posts as permanent clinics.
“We set up some temporary health posts which attended to those affected by the Cyclone and some of them have not been closed,” said Dr Mugari. “Plans are that we build some structures at these places so that we have more clinics to bring health services closer to people.”
Dr Mugari said new settlements like Runyararo where people were relocated had health facilities like Chiyamiti Clinic to ensure they get healthcare attention closer to home.
In terms of Covid-19 vaccination, the district stands at 40 percent coverage of the eligible population for the first dose, while 29 percent of the targeted population is fully vaccinated.
“After Cyclone Idai we had a challenge,” Dr Mugari. “Most people were traumatised including health staff so we managed to get psycho-social support from mental health nurses and doctors from our head office.”
Sister-in-charge at Ngorima Clinic, Juliet Ngadziore, corroborated the important impact of psycho-social support intervention.
She said they had two colleagues and their families who were swept away by the floods while the other had his entire family washed away by the floods.
“The experience was traumatising and no one wanted to continue working here, but after some counselling services we can now go on,” said Sister Ngadziore.
She said they were now operating at full scale covering all the ailments they should attend for their designated 11 775 target population.
Satellite clinics like Hlabiso and Saziya covering the same target population are also in operation, which also boosted the immunisation against Covid-19 and that of children.
Online Reporter