Chronicle Editor
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
ACCESS to health, education and other social amenities continue to be given adequate attention in Matabeleland South Province with various projects aimed at improving the lives of the communities already in motion.
Acting Permanent Secretary for Matabeleland South Mr Richmond Ncube said all districts in the province have specific projects that they have been undertaking and are at various stages of completion.
“In all the districts there were clinics where waiting mothers’ shelters were constructed, which means that there is improved access to health services. Distances to the nearest health centres were reduced in most cases, by half, and generally, health services have been brought closer to the people and a reduction of the maternal mortality rate was recorded,” he said.
He said complications in pregnant women were exacerbated by the delay in reaching health centres as clinics were very far from the communities. Bringing health services closer to communities meant that anomalies in pregnancies will now be detected early and action taken to avoid mortalities.
“More and accessible health centres means there will be a reduction in home deliveries as mothers will now be attended to by skilled personnel,” said Mr Ncube.
He said the construction of pharmacies at Gwanda Provincial Hospital and at Beitbridge District Hospital, Shabwe, Tongwe, Shashe, Zezani and Majini in Beitbridge District by the Ministry of Health and Child Care was 100 percent complete and only waiting for a handover.
On the education front, Mr Ncube said most schools in Matabeleland South had been damaged by floods and hailstorms and the rehabilitation of storm-damaged infrastructure made the schools safe spaces for learners once again. “A number of local authorities constructed science laboratories for schools in their districts and we appreciate that though they are not yet enough, the progress made is a step in the right direction as there has always been an outcry of a shortage of science laboratories in the province. Construction of a double classroom block at Beitbridge Government Primary School is now 80 percent complete. The western wing concrete deck is complete and upper floor brickwork is yet to commence. The construction of a senior girls’ hostel at Tongwe High School is now 65 percent complete,” he added.
Road rehabilitation is another key priority area in the province with most local authorities engaged in the road rehabilitation programmes. “A good road network generally enables goods and services to move from point A to B, thereby increasing the chances of communities to be involved in economic activities,” said Mr Ncube.
He said through devolution, service delivery mandates of councils in the province were made easy and most of them recorded improved maintenance programmes and water coverage. He added that the Presidential Inputs Scheme (Intwasa/Pfumvudza) has continued to support all plot holders in communal and resettlement areas and it is expected to increase crop yield should the rainfall season be favourable.
The province’s Presidential Fisheries Scheme project was launched in Beitbridge District and all seven districts are set to benefit from Zhove Estate that will guarantee food and nutrition security.
The Government has also been working on Gwanda State University mining laboratory which is set is set to greatly improve the learning environment, increase university enrolment and research development as well as innovation throughput. – @NyembeziMu.
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