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Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau
The Mt Darwin-Nyakasikana-Masango Road has cut the distance for many patients who came from different places to Karanda Hospital.
Previously, patients had to cross Ruya River, where young people would direct vehicles for a fee.
The other routes were longer, for instance the Mt Darwin-Nhoro-Karanda Road and the Mt Darwin Mudzengerere-Karanda, both 62km long.
The new route, Mt Darwin-Nyakasikana-Masango-Karanda Road, is 44km long.
Last week, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Lovemore Matuke, toured the Karanda Road, which is almost complete.
He said President Mnangagwa commissioned Karanda Bridge in April 2021 and directed the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) to surface the 17km stretch that connects to the hospital.
Minister Matuke was impressed by the road, whose outstanding works are only touch-ups.
“Karanda Hospital is historic; people from all over the country come here for health care. Patients are referred here from other major hospitals,” he said.
“It was necessary for the road to be constructed. People were using longer routes to get to the hospital. We thank the President for coming up with this initiative, which has positively impacted the lives of local people.
“It is now cheaper to travel from Harare to Karanda. It is also cheaper for the business community to bring goods from Harare.”
With the El Nino-induced drought this year, Minister Matuke said grain movement will now be easy and should reach communities surrounding Karanda Hospital.
He said it was the mandate of RIDA to rehabilitate and maintain all roads leading into major highways.
Karanda Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Paul Thistle said before the new road was constructed, the hospital used to attend to 75 000 patients annually, but now the number has increased to 100 000 from last year due to the new, shorter route.
He thanked the Government for constructing the bridge and the road, a development that has seen the expansion of the hospital.
Medical supplies to the hospital have also increased.
“In the past year, people came to the hospital on foot and crossed the river carrying pots on their heads.
“This was due to a lack of a good road to the hospital. During the rainy season, patients would fail to cross the flooded river.
“Things have changed now. We welcome and assist patients from any part of the country. After seeing the development, our partners are assisting with medicines and the expansion of the hospital,” said Dr Thistle.
Chief Dotito, born Takendza Nyawanza, thanked the Government for the bridge and tarred road.
He said previously, people died on their way to the hospital, while pregnant women gave birth on the way.
“The business community is equally elated because they can bring their supplies easily,” he said.
Ms Cecilia Gombo, who travelled from Gokwe, Mateta 2, to Karanda with her sick mother, said their journey was good due to the road.
She arrived at the hospital at 1am on Thursday and said the journey was great.
She preferred Karanda Hospital to any other hospital due to its affordable services.
“I was directed by people who were treated here, and for sure, the scans are affordable compared to other hospitals.
“It is our first time coming here, and the road is good,” she said.
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