Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
FIVE clinics are under construction in three different wards in Gwanda District, after community members mobilised resources to construct health centres.
Dambashoko in Ward 2, Ngwidzi Clinic in Ward 2, Mawaza Clinic in Ward 12 and Ntepe Clinic in Ward 14, are at foundation level while bricks have been moulded to start works on Mhalipe Clinic in Ward 20.
Gwanda Rural District Council chief executive officer, Mr Ranganai Sibanda said the construction of the clinics will help to improve health care services in the district.
“We have five clinic projects in the district, which were initiated by community members. We have Dambashoko, Ngwidzi, Mawaza, Ntepe and Mhalipe Clinic. The communities have started mobilising resources and construction works have already started in four of the clinics,” he said.
“These are the kinds of initiatives that we want to see coming from the community. President Mnangagwa has always said ‘ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo’ and I’m glad that our community is putting this into action.”
Mr Sibanda said the local authority will chip in and assist in the construction of the projects once devolution funds are available.
The devolution funds have assisted local authorities in fulfilling their obligation of ensuring improved access to social amenities across the country through the development of key infrastructure such as clinics, classroom blocks, roads and bridges.
Social amenities and infrastructure development are some of the major pillars of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
Mr Sibanda said for now they are offering technical advice to the communities on their projects. He said the efforts of communities coupled with devolution funds and involvement of private partners, will go a long way in accelerating development in the district.
He said devolution funds have helped to speed up several community-initiated projects that had stalled in the district.
Chief Hwadalala said the community started constructing Mawaza Clinic last year, after it had stalled for two years.
“The community received the go-ahead to start the project in 2021 but it never started because of lack of resources. Last year as a community we resolved that the project had to kick start,” he said.
“Each household has contributed R100 and a pocket of cement. This enabled us to start moulding bricks and we have now built a foundation.”
Chief Hwadalala said the diaspora community has contributed significantly towards the project.
“We are also appealing to well-wishers, who can partner with the community to ensure that the project is completed on time,” he said.
Upon completion, the clinic will benefit five villages.
“We have some villagers who walk 15 kilometres to access healthcare in other nearest clinics and for the elderly, expecting mothers and children, it has become a strain. Health is a basic right and community members should not walk long distances,” said Chief Hwadalala. —@DubeMatutu
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