Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma, Zimpapers Writer
ACCESS to healthcare services in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South Province has been characterised by long and torturous distances to the nearest health centre, but that is going to ease after the completion of state-of-the-art Nyabane Clinic.
The clinic is expected to open its doors to the public next month. It was constructed through collaboration between the Nyabane Community, diasporans, Bulilima Rural District Council (RDC), former Bulilima East Constituency legislator Nqobizitha Ndlovu, Bulilima Constituency legislator Cde Dingumuzi Phuti and the Church of Jesus of the Latter-Day Saints.
The church poured in US$300 000 towards the completion of the clinic early this year after the other parties had contributed towards the construction of the main structure.
Completed facilities include the main structure, three staff cottages and the second waiting mother’s shelter.
Recently, a 10KVA solar system was installed at the clinic.
The diaspora community has been contributing 100rand each or pula equivalent towards the project every month while the local community provided free labour such as fetching water, quarry, river or pit sand.
Nyabane Clinic is set to ease the pressure on Sikhathini Clinic, which has been providing services for the larger community and was overwhelmed by demand for its services.
Mr Mqondisi Realfire Mlilo, who is leading the committee spearheading the construction of the new clinic, attributed the success of the project to the unity between the community and its leadership.
“The diaspora raised over R1 million towards the project and this enabled us to complete the construction of the clinic, staff houses and also putting up the fence to protect our property,” he said.
Bulilima RDC chief executive officer Mr Billiati Mulauzi said the clinic will be opened soon.
“Early this year, we received a boost from the Church of Jesus of the Latter-Day Saints that gave us US$300 000 towards the completion of the clinic,” he said.
Mr Mlauzi said the clinic was now ready for inspection by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
Bulilima legislator and Deputy Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Cde Phuti applauded the Nyabane community for taking the initiative to improve their livelihoods.
“I would like to applaud the local community and our relatives in the diaspora, who came together to mobilise resources to build this state-of-the-art clinic,” he said.
He said the spirit of the community owning development projects dovetails not only with devolution but with President Mnangagwa’s nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo philosophy. —@mthabisi_mthire
