Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma, [email protected]
IN many rural parts of Zimbabwe, access to basic healthcare remains a daily struggle. For many families, buying medication is no longer simple — it is expensive and often out of reach. People rely on farming to survive, and when illness strikes, getting treatment can mean travelling long distances to towns or going without.
However, there is now some relief for communities in Bulilima district, where a recent donation of medical supplies is expected to ease pressure on local clinics and improve access to treatment.
Telecommunications company TelOne has stepped in with a consignment of medicines delivered to four clinics in the district. The beneficiary health centres are Mbimba, Temateme, Nyabane and Malalume — facilities that have only recently opened under the Second Republic’s development drive.
These clinics, which began operating between 2023 and 2025, were established to bring healthcare services closer to the people. Their opening marked an important step in improving access to medical care in Bulilima, a largely rural constituency where distances between communities and towns can be long and difficult to manage.
Bulilima legislator, Dingumuzi Phuti, has been actively involved on the ground, supporting the development and operation of these clinics. He said the latest donation comes at a critical time, as the new facilities are still finding their footing and often face shortages of essential supplies.
The medicines delivered by TelOne include a wide range of items used to treat common conditions. Among them are Diclofenac, Methylated Spirit, syringes, Glibenclamide, Exactive Glucose Strips, Amoxycillin capsules, Indometacin, Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Hydrochlorothiazide, Ciprofloxacin, Metformin, disposable lancets, Atenolol tablets, hypodermic needles and cotton wool.
For many in the community, these are not just medical items — they are lifesaving resources that are often difficult to access.
Phuti expressed his appreciation for the donation, saying it will go a long way in addressing health challenges in the district.
“We would like to thank TelOne for this gesture that came through their Corporate Social Responsibility programme,” said Phuti.
He noted that rural communities face unique challenges when it comes to healthcare, particularly when clinics lack adequate supplies.
Medical supplies have become a critical need in rural communities as a way of avoiding distances to towns for affordable needs.
“TelOne could have focused on other pillars but they deliberately focused on health because life means national prosperity,” he said.
For the clinics in question, the donation is especially important because they are still new and have not yet been fully integrated into the supply systems of the Ministry of Health and Child Care. This means they do not always receive regular allocations of medicines from the government.
“This consignment of various medicines has been channelled to four fairly new clinics that don’t ordinarily get supplies as they have not yet been registered by the Ministry of Health and Child Care processes.
“The inclusion of rural health centres in critical pillars’ such as health is fulfilment of our national vision championed by His Excellency President Dr Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa of not leaving anyone and any place behind.”
For TelOne, the donation is part of a broader commitment to support communities beyond its core business. The company says it sees healthcare as an important part of development, especially in underserved areas.
TelOne Head of Corporate Communications, Mr Tinashe Makichi, said that their approach is centred on making a real difference in people’s lives.
“At TelOne, we believe sustainable development starts with healthy communities. This medical supplies donation to the Bulilima Constituency reflects our commitment to contributing to improved healthcare access. As a responsible corporate citizen, by donating medical supplies to Bulilima Constituency, we are contributing to strengthening healthcare services where they are most needed,” said Mr Makichi.
His remarks highlight a growing recognition that private companies can play an important role in supporting essential services, particularly in rural areas where government resources are often stretched.
On the ground, the impact of the donation is already being felt. Bulilima District Medical Officer, Dr Chido Chitiyo, said the supplies arrived at just the right time, when they were most needed.
“Soon, we will be issuing the remaining stocks to Malalume and Nyabane clinics. Over and above we would like to thank Honourable Phuti for securing these precious items which will change the face of the health sector in the district,” he said.
He confirmed that deliveries have already been made to Temateme and Mbimba clinics, with the remaining facilities set to receive their share soon.
For healthcare workers in these clinics, the availability of medicines means they can better attend to patients who would otherwise be turned away or asked to travel elsewhere. For patients, it means shorter journeys, lower costs and quicker treatment.
In rural settings like Bulilima, these changes can have a significant impact. A simple condition that might become serious due to lack of treatment can now be managed early. Chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, which require regular medication, can also be better controlled.
Beyond immediate treatment, the donation also brings hope. It sends a message that rural communities are not being forgotten and that efforts are being made to bridge the gap between urban and rural healthcare services.
The development of new clinics, combined with support from partners like TelOne, is gradually changing the face of healthcare in the district. While challenges remain, such as staffing and long-term supply of medicines, the progress made so far is a step in the right direction.
For many residents, the presence of a nearby clinic stocked with essential medicines is a sign of dignity and care — a reminder that access to health is not a privilege, but a basic need.
