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mayor Muchadeyi Masunda has said.
Speaking at the handover of equipment donated to Kuwadzana Polyclinic by the International Committee of the Red Cross yesterday, Mr Masunda said rate payments would no longer be used for running and maintaining clinics.
The ICRC donated baby warmers, incinerators and electrical backup systems worth US$390 000.
“The rates funds will now be ploughed back to maintain infrastructure, like how it used to be done sometime ago,” he said.
HARARE CITY COUNCIL
Mr Masunda said council was reverting back to using rates for infrastructure development and maintenance.
He said Zimbabwe must not depend on international donors as the country had the capacity to fund its own activities.
“ICRC should only top up, but we must be able to generate our own funding.
“We should be able to leverage our own capacities and in that light the council is planning to recapitalise Rufaro Marketing to maintain the new equipment at the clinics, as well as generate income for the council,” he said.
The ICRC head of delegation in Zimbabwe Mr Thomas Merkelbach said the organisation was committed to improving access to healthcare for the vulnerable.
“The initiative was launched with the aim of improving the availability of primary healthcare and this has been achieved through the provision of essential drugs, basic medical consumables, sundries and equipment,” he said.
The ICRC has assisted the city’s 12 polyclinics located in high-density suburbs since 2008. The committee also supports 46 prisons around Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter