dyton mupawaenda
Freedom Mupanedemo-Midlands Bureau
Devolution funds continue to transform communities with villagers in Shurugwi grateful after the commissioning of a new clinic that has brought health services at their doorstep.
For years, the villagers said they had been travelling for about 15km to access the nearest health care facility and the commissioning of the new Totonga clinic thanks to President Mnangagwa’s “leaving no one and no place behind” vision, has brought much relief to them.
“As the local community, we were forced to travel to either Shurugwi or Chikwingwizha hospitals because we didn’t have a health facility that catered for us. And to get there it’s about 15km and transport from here is a challenge which made it difficult.
“We thank the Government for funding the construction of this clinic through devolution. We also chipped in with free labour and today we are rejoicing, as a community,” said Mr Samule Madenga.
Another villager, Mrs Melody Mafuka said the new facility will also help expecting mothers most of whom were delivering at home owing to the non-availability of health care facilities in the area.
“We have many cases here where expecting mothers have been delivering at home which is very dangerous. We are very happy that our Government has built us this new clinic, we can now walk there for consultations so that as expecting mothers, we know our days and get our referrals on time,” she said.
Chief Nhema also weighed in saying the new clinic has brought new hope to the local folks.
“We are very relived as a community. A healthy community is a sound community so we thank our Government for remembering us here,” he said.
Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Owen Ncube, who commissioned the new clinic early this week, said the clinic was one of the many life changing projects initiated by the Second Republic.
“It is my singular honour and privilege to grace the official opening of Totonga Clinic, here in Shurugwi built through strong collaboration of the local community, Government of Zimbabwe and our all-weather friends from the People’s Republic of China,” he said.
Minister Ncube said the Second Republic was determined to modernise the health system and other all sectors of the economy.
“I am pleased with your presence to witness this auspicious occasion whose objective is to celebrate a milestone achievement by the Second Republic as we seek to modernise our health sector in line with our National Vision of an Upper Middle Income Society by 2030,” he said.
The clinic will service mainly ward 17 in Shurugwi. The new clinic is also equipped with two staff houses a borehole and piped water system, a rural clinic needing housing and a water supply.
The Second Republic has been working round the clock implementing comprehensive reforms for the health delivery system among other sectors.
These include re-equipping and upgrading existing hospitals and clinics and building new ones.
Since the inception of devolution funds in 2019, local authorities in the Midlands managed to complete 42 health related projects including purchase of ambulances.
Online Reporter