New clinic brings joy for Zvishavane villagers

VILLAGERS from Shiku in Zvishavane District, Midlands Province, have expressed excitement over the life-changing development in their area following the completion of the Marira Clinic constructed using devolution funds.

The positive development has brought relief to villagers who used to travel for more than 20km to reach the nearest health centre.

The construction of Marira Clinic commenced in 2019 with a budget of over $17 million covering the main clinic block, staff houses, ablution facilities and water.

Speaking during a recent tour led by Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, beneficiaries of the clinic commended the Second Republic policies for impacting positively on their livelihoods.

“Since the coming in of the Second Republic, there have been significant changes in our area. We now have a complete healthcare facility that will help us in thwarting diseases such as cholera,” said an elderly woman, Mrs Maria Dzirikure.

“Before this clinic was constructed, we used to travel more than 20km to Zvishavane or Mabasa for the health care services but now health services are close to home.”

Another beneficiary Mr John Maungwa said: “Our community has lost many lives due to inaccessibility of medical facilities. Imagine if someone gets sick in the middle of the night and you’ve to wait for tomorrow to find transport that can take the patient to Zvishavane town”.

An elated Chief Masunda said the shortage of water had caused the delay in the opening of Marira Clinic.

He, however, commended the Government for availing devolution funds, which saw Runde Rural District Council being able to construct a 9km water pipeline that is now supplying the health institution with the precious liquid.

“This clinic is going to assist villagers from Headman Shiku who has 45 village heads under him. Some villagers used to go to Mabasa but there is Runde River that was making it difficult for them to access medical care, said Chief Masunda.

“Some used to travel 20km to Matenda. So, these people are now getting medical attention closer to home.”

The traditional leader said villagers were happy with the positive development brought by the Second Republic.

“Some villagers died in their homes as they failed to access medical attention but now that will be a thing of the past all thanks to the Second Republic,” he said.

Minister Ncube said the Government has set up plans to construct more clinics in marginalised communities countrywide to increase accessibility of medical services in the countryside.

“More clinics, equipment, and facilities are in the pipeline as we seek to uplift the marginalised areas and communities in line with the National Development Strategy 1,” he said.

“Clinics play a pivotal role in fighting emerging issues that include cholera and drug and substance abuse as guided under the harm reduction, treatment and rehabilitation pillar.

“The Government has increased Devolution funds allocations to local authorities in the 2024 National Budget, which should translate into increased funding for all projects initiated by local communities.”

Minister Ncube said the establishment of the new clinic buttresses the Government’s strategic measure to support rural communities by giving them access to quality health services and fighting diseases such as cholera as well as drug and substance abuse.

“It is indeed a distinguished honour for me to tour the devolution-funded Marira Clinic, which is yet another milestone achievement by the Second Republic under the able and visionary leadership of President Mnangagwa,” he said.

“Health for all by 2025 is within reach as the New Dispensation has adopted bold strategic decisions that leave no one and no place behind for broad-based and inclusive modernisation and industrialisation that focuses on sound service delivery.

“Empowering communities entails the provision of accessible, quality, and affordable services that include health, education, water and sanitation, power, transport and related utilities.”