Online Reporter
Tanaka Nkala, [email protected]
A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN initiative in Entumbane suburb in Bulawayo is transforming local healthcare delivery after a group of more than 400 residents mobilised resources to buy a printer, toner cartridges, bond paper and pens to improve administrative efficiency at Entumbane Clinic.
They aim at improving service delivery at the clinic through monthly contributions and donations that go towards its development.
Operating under the banner “Entumbane Residents Clinic Partners”, the group has taken it upon themselves to improve services at the council-owned clinic by pooling financial and material resources that go into the operations of the facility.
This month, the residents continued their support by donating a Canon printer, toner cartridges, 12 reams of bond paper and pens to improve administrative efficiency.
The initiative, which continues to grow, reflects a strong sense of community ownership and commitment to better healthcare.
The Project Co-ordinator, Mr Nkosikhona Mlilo, said the residents contribute varying amounts each month, with the collective funds directed towards upgrading clinic facilities and equipment.
“We are a group of more than 400 residents whose main objective is to modernise our clinic by contributing whatever we can every month,” he said.
The impact of their initiative is already visible.
“In December last year, our group donated equipment and supplies valued at approximately US$1 200, which included wheelchairs and a modern digital machine,” he said.
In an interview, the Assistant Director of Health Services for the City of Bulawayo, Dr Mbusi Falayi, expressed gratitude to the Entumbane Residents Clinic Partners for their generous donation and unwavering commitment to their local health facility.
“The provision of essential administrative supplies and the ambitious projects outlined for Entumbane Clinic demonstrate a powerful model of community partnership that significantly strengthens our primary health care system.
“We commend this initiative and look forward to supporting their efforts to enhance service delivery and the overall patient environment,” he said.
The Group has plans to contribute 15 pairs of crutches next month to assist patients with mobility challenges.
They also have plans to upgrade infrastructure, which includes tiling the entire clinic, installing Starlink WiFi and replacing an ageing fence that has been in place since 1980 with a modern clear-view fence.
