Government commends Bulilima for community initiatives

HEALTH and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro has said the Second Republic is forging ahead with efforts to promote universal health coverage while plans are underway to establish healthcare facilities at the village level countrywide.

Speaking during the commissioning of Malalume Clinic in Bulilima District on Thursday, Dr Mangwiro said in the coming months, the Government will also equip all rural health facilities by providing ambulances and facilities where drugs and medicines will be stored.

“As Government, we will forge ahead with efforts to promote universal health coverage. We have plans to establish healthcare facilities at village level across the country. This will create employment, which will see community health workers being capacitated,” he said.

Malalume Clinic was built using devolution funds with the local communities assisting by providing free labour. Devolution funds have transformed the health sector with new clinics being built in several districts in Matabeleland as the Second Republic steps up the inclusive developmental philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind.

The programme has helped local authorities in Matabeleland and other parts of the country to improve access to health services, particularly in rural areas where people used to walk long distances to seek services.

Deputy Minister Mangwiro said he was impressed with the way communities are complementing Government efforts to build a robust health sector.

He said community initiatives such as building clinics were in line with Vision 2030, which is aimed at transforming Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income economy.

Dr Mangwiro said such initiatives are helping to transform Zimbabwe into a model of an effective primary healthcare system in the region.

“This is what we seek to accomplish as the Second Republic. We pride ourselves for providing quality health services and this is in line with the National Development Strategy 1 and Vision 2030,” he said.

“I am certainly impressed with the manner in which communities are working hand in hand with the Government through the use of devolution funds to spearhead the construction of clinics and village health centres.”

Dr Mangwiro said village healthcare workers complement services offered at clinics and hospitals as they distribute prescribed medicines and identify health challenges in communities.

“In the coming months we will assist in terms of providing ambulances, state-of-the-art maternity wards as well as provide facilities to store medicines at required temperatures,” he said.

Deputy Minister Mangwiro said communities’ initiatives were commendable and President Mnangagwa who priorities healthcare, was aware of these efforts.

“Let us be wise and rally behind our visionary leader who prides in development. Healthcare must be easily accessible to all citizens hence the need to have clinics at village level,” he said.