Tendai Gukutikwa
Mutare Bureau
EXPECTANT mothers in Honde Valley are set to benefit from improved access to maternity services following the installation of a solar-powered borehole at Gatsi Clinic, which had been referring pregnant women to Hauna Clinic because of water shortages.
The borehole, facilitated by Mutasa North legislator Cde Obey Bvute, through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), is expected to restore reliable water supplies at the clinic and benefit eight surrounding villages.
In an interview, Mutasa Rural District Council chairperson Councillor Paddington Nemaunga, said water shortages had disrupted maternity services at the clinic since August 2024, forcing expectant mothers to seek care at Hauna Clinic.
He said the lack of water had also created challenges for healthcare workers, particularly in maintaining hygiene and providing essential services.
“The completion of this borehole is an important development for Gatsi Clinic and the surrounding communities,” he said.
“Water is essential at any health facility, especially where maternity services are concerned, because mothers and newborn babies require a clean and safe environment.
“The availability of water will help improve conditions at the clinic and ease some of the challenges that women have been facing when seeking healthcare.”
Clr Nemaunga said the project would also ease the burden on women in surrounding villages, who often spend considerable time fetching water for their households.
“When water is available closer to communities, women spend less time searching for water. This gives them more time to attend to their families and other responsibilities.
“For women visiting the clinic, reliable water supplies also help ensure a more hygienic environment,” he said.
Gatsi Clinic has eight staff members and serves surrounding communities, including Gatsi Primary School and St Columbas.
Eight villages are expected to benefit from the project. The installation comprises a 5 000-litre water tank, a tank stand, piping, solar panels, a control box and a 2.5-horsepower pump that can operate on both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) power.
The solar-powered system is expected to improve the reliability of water supplies while reducing dependence on conventional electricity.
Clr Nemaunga said investment in rural water infrastructure was critical to improving service delivery and community welfare.
“Water is not only important for drinking but also for maintaining cleanliness and preventing infections at health facilities.
“This project will help Gatsi Clinic provide services under better conditions, while also extending the benefits to surrounding communities,” he said.
The borehole is expected to improve access to water for clinic staff, patients, learners and residents in the surrounding villages.
For expectant mothers, the development offers hope of accessing maternity services closer to home without having to travel to another health facility because of water shortages.
Clr Nemaunga said the project demonstrated the importance of CDF-funded infrastructure in addressing community needs, adding that reliable water supplies were essential for healthcare delivery, education and household welfare.
He said the completion of the borehole marked a significant step towards addressing Gatsi Clinic’s longstanding water challenges and improving access to essential services in Mutasa North Constituency.
