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Peter Matika, [email protected]
THE commissioning of Jowa Clinic in the remote area of Jowa in Tsholotsho District on Wednesday ignited excitement among locals who were forced to travel long distances to access health care services at the risk of being attacked by elephants.
Villagers from Ward 9 in the district said at times they were forced to forgo seeking health care services because they feared being attacked by the jumbos.
Tsholotsho shares an unfenced border with Hwange National Park hence the many cases of human-wildlife conflict.
Prior to the opening of Jowa Clinic villagers had to travel 20 km to seek health care services.
In interviews soon after the commissioning of the clinic by Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo, villagers hailed the Second Republic for establishing a health facility at their doorstep.
“We are happy with projects being implemented by Government. We now have a clinic closer to us unlike in the past when we had to risk being attacked by elephants by travelling to other clinics located 20km away,” said Mrs Mary Moyo.
She said at times sick people had to to hire donkey-drawn carts to ferry them to clinic.
Mrs Moyo said the idea of establishing a clinic was first mooted in the early 1990s but only came into fruition following the advent of the Second Republic.
“For us it is a dream come true and we are grateful to our leader, President Mnangagwa who intervened,”she said.
Another villager, Ms Rosemary Ndlovu could not hide her excitement.
“I am actually more than happy because we now have our own clinic. It was a nightmare for us when it comes to accessing health care services. We had to walk long distances through forests risking being attacked by elephants,” she said.
Ms Ndlovu said walking long distances to seek health services was now a thing of the past following the opening of the clinic.
“The Second Republic has proved that it walks the talk when it comes to development and we are very happy as a community,” she said.
Mr John Mangoma said: “I am at a loss of words to thank President Mnangagwa for providing us with a clinic right at our doorstep. This is a welcome development and as a community, we are grateful.”
Mr Jacob Ngwenya said the completion of Jowa Clinic will revolutionise health care services in the area.
“For a long time we have been appealing to authorities to establish a clinic in our area given the long distances that people travelled to seek health care services.
We did not get any positive response until the coming in of this Government. We therefore want to commend Government for responding to our plea by building this clinic,” he said.
The clinic, which is manned by two nurses and has a visiting doctor, boasts of consultation rooms, a labour ward, an incineration facility, a pharmacy and a storeroom where drugs are kept.
The Second Republic has been working around the clock implementing comprehensive reforms to improve health care services.
Minister Moyo said the commissioning of Jowa Clinic is set to transform the people lives as they now have health facility close to them..
“The Second Republic is leaving no one and no place behind in terms of development. We built a clinic for you using devolution funds and now you can say ‘goodbye’ to travelling long distances to seek
health care services,” he said.
Minister Moyo implored people to vote for a Zanu PF saying it is development oriented.
“Zanu-PF is indeed the people’s party and the only party with a visionary leader. This is why I am here canvassing for votes. Vote for President Mnangagwa, his MPs and councillors. Vote for development,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter