Chronicle Editor
Mthabisi Tshuma recently in Mbimba, Bulilima
NETONE has donated medical equipment to the newly completed Mbimba Clinic in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South.
Villagers started building the clinic in 2009 and 13 years later it will finally commence operations.
Last Friday, villagers and the traditional leadership were at hand to witness Bulilima West legislator Cde Dingumuzi Phuti handing over the equipment, which included five hospital beds, five blankets, one wheelchair, one baby scale, two BP checking machines and two sugar diabetes checking machines.
Through the donation, the opening of the clinic is imminent.
Addressing villagers at the clinic, Cde Phuti who is also the Deputy Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services said hard work and commitment from locals, diasporans and Government departments have resulted in meaningful development.
“I would like to thank you all for allowing this project to commence, this journey was not easy because it’s a project of 13 good years.
Because of the grace of God we have reached our final destination.
Therefore, I would like to inform you that the official opening of the clinic will be graced by the Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Dr Constantino Chiwenga who is also the Minister of Health and Child Care.
“I would like to thank the villagers, traditional leadership, the acting Bulilima Rural District Council chief executive officer Mr Biliat Mlauzi, the Bulilima District Development Coordinator Mr Zogara, Ward 10 councillor Mr Zoolakes Nyathi, representatives from NetOne, TelOne, National Aids Council and all who managed to come and witness this good work.
This work has been achieved through good collaboration between locals, the diaspora community and Government,” said Cde Phuti.
He said the handover ceremony is a testimony of President Mnangagwa’s philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind.
“We are not working alone but we are representing President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
“Health services and infrastructural development are some of the targeted key deliverables,” said Cde Phuti.
NetOne chief executive officer, Mr Raphael Mushanawani, in a speech read on his behalf by NetOne Southern Region manager Ms Elma Dube, said the donation is part of the parastatal’s corporate social responsibility projects.
“As a company which operates under the Government of Zimbabwe, we saw it necessary to help the Mbimba community because they were left with a few things to finish the clinic project.
“Today we have brought the little that we have so that the clinic may start to operate since the nearest clinics are said to be very far,” said Ms Dube.
Mr Mlauzi said the local authority had heard the concern of villagers and the clinic will start operating.
“As council we have heard your concerns and its fortunate because our Honourable Minister is also present. We are going to work together so that we ensure our health facilities operate sooner,” said Mr Mlauzi.
Clr Nyathi thanked Cde Phuti.
“Help me thank our Honourable Cde Phuti because he is one in a million. Every activity in this constituency is connected to him and he has done a splendid job in developing the ward and the constituency at large.
“So far there are three clinics which we have finished in our ward and we are waiting for the health department to give us nurses and to start working because our villagers are walking a long distance in search of health facilities,” said Clr Nyathi – @mthabisi_mthire
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