Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
PHAKAMA Clinic Maternity Ward in Gwanda District has been transformed into a modern facility following a rehabilitation initiative aimed at improving access to maternal health services for expecting mothers.
The United African Apostolic Church (UAAC) bankrolled the upgrade works, which included repairing the damaged ceiling, tiling, replacing window panes, repairing doors and locks, lighting, gutter fixing, repainting and repairing of the plumbing system, among others.
The clinic also received mattresses with the same church supporting the refurbishment of the Gwanda Old People’s Home as part of efforts to improve living conditions for inmates.
The church has pledged to continue supporting development at the two institutions as well as other projects that will be identified including offering educational support to less privileged children.
Phakama Clinic was established in 1992 and is servicing a population of over 13 000. It is the only clinic in Gwanda Town.
Speaking at a ceremony to handover the refurbished wing to clinic officials, Phakama Clinic sister-in-charge, Ms Grace Tshuma, said the intervention has helped cover gaps that were making it difficult to operate.
“Our maternity ward was in a sorry state and one of our major concerns was the ceiling, which was now collapsing. The safety of expecting mothers was also compromised because the doors were not locking,” she said.
“This institution services a large population as we are servicing all suburbs in the town and surrounding areas.
“We now have a state-of-the-art maternity ward, which will help improve our operations.”
In a speech read on her behalf by deputy director of environmental planning and management, Mr Maxwell Muwondori, Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, called for more investments in the health sector saying health and well being were the cornerstone of economic growth and development.
She said refurbishment of major public infrastructure was in line with Vision 2030 ideals of improving maternal and child health services, increasing access to quality health care and reducing the maternal and infant mortality rate.
“A healthy society is a productive society and investment in health care yield dividends for generations to come. Phakama Clinic has been a beacon of health care in the community,” said Dr Ndlovu.
“Over the years, lack of funds have taken its toll on the facility leading to dilapidation of the infrastructure.
“The church has stepped in to refurbish the clinic ensuring better health care services for the community. I urge each and every one of you to continue with the spirit of team work as we embark on other upcoming projects.”
UAAC Archbishop, Itani Mureri, emphasised the importance of love as the driving force towards supporting the needy and developing communities.
“In order for one to do the work that we are seeing here there is need for love. Love will cause us to do good works for people who are in need and for God,” he said. “Let’s have love for one another and let’s help each other as that is what God expects from us. Each person has a role to play no matter how small it may seem to improve the life of the next person. If we all play our part we can achieve a lot,” he said.
Gwanda mayor, Alderman Thulani Moyo expressed his gratitude to UAAC for its intervention in improving the condition of Phakama Clinic. He called on various stakeholders to play a part in developing Gwanda Town in line with the call by President Mnangagwa who said “ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo/nyika inovakwa nevene vayo”. — @DubeMatutu
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