adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
Zanu-PF Masvingo Urban National Assembly candidate Cde Taguma Mazarire has pledged to push for the construction of a new, modern and well-equipped provincial hospital in the country’s oldest town if he romps to victory in the harmonised elections set for July 30.
Plans to construct a new provincial hospital here have been on the cards for many years, with lack of funding blamed for delaying kick-off of the project.
Preliminary estimates indicate that at least $120 million would be required to build the new facility at a new site that was identified close to the Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway.
“Once I am elected Member of Parliament for Masvingo Urban I am going to lobby the Government to construct a new provincial hospital, which will be equipped enough to carter for major operations,” said Cde Mazarire.
He said the new provincial referral hospital would be equipped to cater for patients with serious complications since the existing Masvingo General Hospital was overwhelmed and poorly equipped.
“We do not have many specialist doctors at Masvingo General Hospital and patients with complications are forced to travel either to Harare or Bulawayo,” he said. “The hospital (Masvingo General) is more of a district health facility given that it is not well equipped to conduct crucial operations.
“We cannot expect a patient from say, Malipati near the Mozambique border to travel to Harare, the burden will be too much.
“Masvingo City council availed 10 hectares to Government for the construction of a provincial hospital and what is required now are resources to start the project.”
Turning to his election campaign, Cde Mazarire expressed optimism of winning the Masvingo Urban seat resoundingly.
, with his campaign teams now focusing on door to door campaigns to canvass support for President Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF.
Cde Mazarire has assisted the elderly people, youths and those living with disabilities in Masvingo Urban where he has given them food hampers and clothing.
He said plans were at an advanced stage to hold a constituency star rally at Mucheke Stadium that is set to be spiced up by a musical gala.
Outgoing Masvingo mayor Councillor Hubert Fidze yesterday confirmed that council availed land to Government to build a new hospital in 2015, adding that the ball was now in the State’s hands on when to commence construction.
“As council, we allocated the Government about 10 hectares of virgin land, opposite Masvingo Polytechnic for the construction of the proposed provincial referral hospital,” he said. “We have done our part and it is now up to the Government to commence the important project.”
Cde Mazarire is will battle it out with MDC Alliance candidate Mr Jacob Nyokanhete and two independent candidates in the race for Masvingo Urban parliamentary seat.
Online Reporter