Online Reporter
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke in MUTARE
The Government is accelerating the construction of new clinics, the refurbishment of hospitals, and the decentralisation of laboratory services to ensure that every citizen, particularly those in rural areas, can access healthcare within a 10-kilometre radius by 2030.
This ambitious programme, part of the broader Vision 2030 agenda, is steadily transforming the country’s healthcare landscape and bringing services closer to communities that previously struggled with long and costly journeys to health centres.
In Mutare District, newly built facilities and modernised hospitals are already making a significant impact. Madanga Clinic in Zimunya is among the facilities constructed by the Rural District Council in partnership with villagers using devolution funds.
The clinic has led to positive health outcomes for nearby communities.
“This clinic is really helping us because we no longer have to walk long distances as we did in the past; services are now at our doorstep,” said villager Mr Lazarus Ratowa.
The facility also addresses mental health issues, an area often overlooked in rural communities.
Through the Friendship Bench initiative, village health workers have been trained to provide counselling services to villagers within their communities.
“At this clinic, we offer various services, including mental health care, and the uptake has been great as people come for counselling. They now know that I have been trained to provide support, so they often seek me out,” said village health worker Ms Andisambula Nyambalo.
In Marange, the government has upgraded the local hospital and refurbished the mothers’ shelter, providing expectant mothers with a safe and comfortable place to stay.
“I am expecting my second child and have been having complications. Now that the mothers’ shelter has been renovated, I am enjoying my stay here,” said Mrs Patricia Dzinge.
Another resident, Mr Hosea Marange, added that the hospital had become a vital resource for families.
“Our children and wives now have access to maternal and child health services, and we no longer face problems with diarrhoea and malaria because treatment is now easily available,” he said.
Traditional leaders have also welcomed these developments. Sub-chief Tapesana Hama stated, “We are grateful for what the government is doing.
“In this area, we now have a clinic within a 10-kilometre radius, and more health posts are being constructed, which is a welcome move.”
The decentralisation of laboratory services has further enhanced healthcare delivery. At Marange Rural Hospital Laboratory, tests that previously required a trip to Mutare are now performed locally.
“We conduct tests for TB, malaria, cholera, pregnancy, blood glucose, early infant diagnosis, and viral load, among others. This means that people no longer have to travel to Mutare, where results might take longer. Here, patients can receive their results quickly and proceed with treatment,” said microscopist Mr Victor Muchenyu.
Mutare District Medical Officer Dr David Muchirewese noted that the progress aligns with the government’s broader healthcare expansion plan.
“So far, as a district, we have 54 health facilities, including eight urban clinics and hospitals. We have constructed two new fully functional facilities, while six more are at different stages of construction. Our target is to have 14 new facilities by 2030,” he said.
The expansion of healthcare infrastructure is part of a wider national strategy to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The Government has invested in the refurbishment of hospitals, upgrading equipment, constructing new health posts, and deploying additional health workers in line with the National Health Strategy.
This vision aligns with Zimbabwe’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. By improving rural access to healthcare, the government is laying the foundation for a more resilient and inclusive health system.
The progress being made in Mutare reflects a nationwide drive to ensure that by 2030, every Zimbabwean can access affordable, quality healthcare within reach.
