Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Mutare Bureau
THE upgrading of St Michael’s Mission Clinic into a fully-fledged hospital is gathering momentum, with construction and expansion of critical infrastructure expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year.
Upon completion, two medical doctors will be deployed to the hospital in a move expected to strengthen the availability of specialist medical services at the facility in rural Makoni North constituency and improve access to healthcare for communities in the surrounding areas.
Makoni District Medical Officer Dr Tendai Nyafesa said the upgrading of the clinic run by the Roman Catholic Church will require additional human resources and infrastructure to enable it to provide hospital-level services.
“The upgrading of St Micheal’s mission clinic is going on well. The target is that the hospital should open early next year,” Dr Nyafesa said.
“We are currently constructing doctors’ residence. The hospital will start with two medical doctors. There is a process to acquire an X-ray and theatre machine, which are key equipment on a hospital. Most of the infrastructure is there and will be repurposed to meet hospital requirements and standards.
“St Michael’s will become the only second public hospital for Makoni District. This will help to reduce the distance being travelled by people of Makoni North to access Rusape General Hospital.
“The area is too far from Rusape, and the solution is to set up a facility there. This is in line with the Government’s thrust of providing quality health care for all, leaving no person and place behind.”
Makoni Rural District Council Ward 3 Councillor Evidence Mutuvharuvha said the community has fully embraced the project and is supplying all the locally available building materials such as bricks, concrete stones and sand.
“This is a welcome development for the community. Currently, patients are travelling long distances to seek treatment in Rusape, Mutoko and Nyanga,” said councillor Mutuvharuvha.
“Hiring an ambulance to collect critically ill patients can cost up to US$150, which is beyond the reach of many people.
“We have cases of women resorting to unsafe home deliveries and other people opting to stay at home while sick.
“We have provided over 150 000 bricks, pit and river sand and concrete stones as our contribution as the community. We want to applaud the Government and the Roman Catholic Church for responding to our concerns.”
The development comes as the Government continues to expand health infrastructure and decentralise medical services, particularly in communities that have traditionally relied on larger hospitals far away for advanced treatment.
Once upgraded, St Michael’s is expected to play a bigger role in reducing pressure on Rusape General Hospital by providing a wider range of services closer to communities.
