Kwekwe doctors’ residence project stalls

Michael Magoronga, [email protected]

LACK of funding has stalled the construction of the doctor’s residence at Kwekwe General Hospital four years after the structure was destroyed by fire.

Fourteen families, including doctors and other hospital staff, were displaced in June 2021 when the doctors’ residence caught fire destroying property worth thousands of dollars.

Since then, the institution has been faced with accommodation challenges resulting in some doctors shunning the institution owing to accommodation challenges.

While some doctors were temporarily accommodated by well-wishers, the Good Samaritans have since reclaimed their houses, leaving the doctors stranded.

Government is set to construct a new US$950 000 three-storey block of flats with 24 units to replace the one destroyed by fire, but the project has since stalled due to lack of funding.
Acting Kwekwe General Hospital medical superintendent, Dr Bruce Mhondiwa, said they did not receive any funding from the Treasury this year.

“We had a meeting with the District Development Co-ordinator (Mr Fortune Mpungu) recently to deliberate on the construction of the doctors’ residence, which has been hampered by lack of funding,” he said.
“Trenching has since been approved by engineers but the worry now is that with the onset of the rainy season, the foundation might collapse.”

Dr Mhondiwa said they have since engaged other stakeholders to try and put a concrete slab before the onset of the rains.
“We are looking forward to engaging other stakeholders like Kwekwe Poly and the Ministry of Youth so that we can at least put a concrete slab so that even when the rains come, they will not destroy the foundation,” he said.