Demand for family planning services increases in Goromonzi

Mukudzei Chingwere in Mashonaland East
Government says they have managed to maintain a constant supply of family planning services in Goromonzi district after a spike in demand.

District Medical Officer for Goromonzi district Dr Steven Karimu said they contained the surge due to the support rendered by partners such as Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ).

“Our catchment area for Makumbe Mission hospital has risen from 300 000 to 600 000. During the height of the Covid-19 lockdowns, we continued offering other services.

“Family planning has been one of the aspects of our sexual reproductive health that we have paid attention to.

“The demand has been quite high. But partners like PSZ have come in big in this regard to assist,” said Dr Karimu.

He said in terms of maternal delivery at the hospital they have maintained a monthly average of 200.

Dr Karimu said the Covid-19 vaccination programme has been quite high in the district as well with more than 25 000 having been vaccinated for the first dose while more than 19 000 are fully vaccinated.

“We have a very literate society and they are welcoming the availability of health services,” he said.

Dr Karimu said their biggest challenge at the district hospital was the acute shortage of water supply. He appealed for assistance in this regard as it is located on a mountainous area which makes it a challenge even for easy access of borehole water.