dyton mupawaenda
Fungai Lupande-Mash Central Bureau
Devolution funds have transformed another ward in Muzarabani District, with over 3 000 people set to benefit from Nyamaridza Clinic in Chaona’s Ward 22.
Villagers in the community used to travel between 17km and 35km to Mazowe, Centenary and Mt Darwin in search of healthcare services.
Now, between 45 to 50 patients receive treatment at Nyamaridza Clinic daily. Some of the patients are from Mt Darwin District.
The eight-bed modern infrastructure was renovated from a dilapidated farm house.
As is frequently the case in rural areas, the community played a major role in the renovation of the clinic as they mobilised locally available building materials, in keeping with President Mnangagwa’s mantra, “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo”.
Devolution funds then went a lot further to buy the other materials.
The official opening of the clinic coincided with the Health Coverage Day commemoration under the theme, “Health for all, time for action”.
Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs and Devolution Christopher Magomo said the commitment and effort by the community represents a significant milestone in the journey towards achieving universal health coverage.
“Quality healthcare services must be accessible to all regardless of different socio-economic backgrounds,” he said. “This clinic will become a haven of healing and a lifeline for the surrounding communities by providing essential medical services, preventive care and emergency treatment.
“Devolution has a transformative impact on communities through decentralisation of decision-making and resources. Local needs are addressed and development reaches every corner of the province.”
Minister Magomo then congratulated two mothers who delivered baby boys at the clinic.
The babies were named Lincoln Christopher Nutandadzi born on December 4 and Tinevimbo Muponda, who was born on December 11.
The mothers, Miriam Mangwenzi and Elmina Muponda, received gifts from Minister Magomo and area legislator, Cde Benjamin Kabikira.
Minister Magomo then warned the community against vandalising key infrastructure that helps everyone.
This follows the theft of electricity cables at the clinic some years back.
Muzarabani Rural District Council chief executive officer Mrs Ennie Gwachiwa said they had used $34 million from devolution funds towards construction of the clinic.
From 2019 when the devolution funds were unveiled up to now, Muzarabani RDC has received $404 million in devolution funds.
The money was channelled towards the construction of Utete and Kapembere health posts, renovation of Hwata Clinic and drilling of 16 boreholes.
Muzarabani is prone to floods and windstorms, and Mrs Gwachiwa said they also used devolution funds to rehabilitate Batanai and Gumbochuma Secondary Schools into disaster risk-compliant infrastructures to adapt to harsh weather.
“Devolution has become a game-changer for us in improving service delivery and infrastructure development,” said Mrs Gwachiwa. “We also used devolution funds to purchase a tipper truck, tractor, backhoe loader and dump trailer. We used to hire equipment and now it has become cheaper for us to maintain our roads and improve service delivery.
“We are in the process of drilling 13 more boreholes because our goal is to have a borehole in each ward. The community has embraced the projects and committed to providing help, making development achievable. Local authorities are agents of development and we have responded to the President’s call to action.”
Provincial epidemiologist and disease control officer Dr Tatenda Maringe said the Nyamaridza area has a high burden of malaria and people travel long distances to get help.
Home deliveries were high due to long distances that women have to travel to the nearest clinic. But the coming of the new clinic has helped the situation, with two women having already delivered at the clinic.
Said Dr Maringe: “This is a clear testimony that the community now accesses services close by. We have started child immunisations and the clinic can handle disease outbreaks including cholera,” he said.
“This comes at a time when we are celebrating the Universal Health Coverage Day. This is a milestone in achieving healthcare coverage in this community.”
Mr Pele Bwanali, who was part of the group of villagers who contributed towards the renovation of the clinic, said development was possible when local authorities worked well with the community.
The farm house was in a dilapidated state and they took turns working at the clinic.
Now they have the biggest and most modern in terms of infrastructure in Muzarabani South.
“We are happy to witness Government promises to the people being fulfilled. We used to walk long distances. Government’s efforts will be futile when the community lacks vision and unity. Local authorities need to be accountable to achieve development like this clinic.
“Vision 2030 (of an empowered upper-middle income society) is possible when we work together. Today is the happiest day for people in this community.”
leeroy
Online Reporter