Conrad Mupesa, Mashonaland West Bureau
MORE than 15 000 people in Murombedzi, Zvimba, are expected to benefit from improved access to healthcare following the commissioning of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe Clinic, which is also expected to ease pressure on surrounding health facilities.
Vice President Dr Kembo Mohadi commissioned the facility yesterday, describing it as an important milestone in expanding healthcare access and complementing Government efforts to develop health infrastructure.
Built by businessman and Zanu-PF National Consultative Assembly member Cde Jimayi Muduvuri in honour of Zimbabwe’s late founding President, the clinic is the 44th healthcare facility in Zvimba District.
It has maternity services, male and female wards and other units aimed at improving service delivery. Specialist services are also expected to be introduced through partnerships with private medical practitioners.
Addressing the gathering, VP Mohadi said the clinic demonstrated the role Zimbabweans could play in national development.
“The timely construction of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe Clinic will go a long way towards serving the people of Zvimba, Murombedzi, and Zimbabwe at large,” he said.
“As the country strives towards universal health coverage, this facility will further reduce the distances travelled by our people to access healthcare in this province, especially for women and children.”
VP Mohadi commended Cde Muduvuri and his Macsherp Group of Companies for complementing Government efforts to expand health infrastructure, saying the project supported the drive to ensure that no one and no place was left behind.
He said the clinic would also benefit from partnerships with the Medical and Dental Private Practitioners of Zimbabwe Association, which comprises more than 400 specialist doctors.
VP Mohadi said specialist doctors and modern technology to manage conditions such as cancer and renal failure were expected to be available at the facility.
The Vice-President planted a mutiti/umgqogqogqo, or lucky bean tree, and encouraged communities to support environmental conservation.
Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr Sleiman Kwidini said the clinic would operate around the clock, serving more than 15 000 people and reducing pressure on neighbouring health facilities.
Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo thanked Cde Muduvuri for investing in healthcare infrastructure in the province.
She urged farmers to embrace climate-proof farming practices as the country prepares for the summer cropping season amid forecasts of an El Niño-induced drought.
Cde Muduvuri said the clinic was part of a broader initiative to honour nationalists through the construction of healthcare facilities.
“We are set to commission more clinics in honour of first Zanu PF chairman Cde Herbert Chitepo, Cde Josiah Magama Tongogara and Cde Simon Muzenda early next year.
“We should all respond to calls by President Mnangagwa for Zimbabweans to help build their nation,” he said.
The initiative aims to establish 35 primary healthcare institutions across the country by 2030. Cde Muduvuri has also established a nursing school in Kadoma, which has enrolled 50 students across two intakes.
For locals, the clinic is expected to reduce the difficulties associated with travelling to other health facilities for treatment.
Mr Peter Paradza, who is living with disabilities, said accessing healthcare had been challenging because of long queues and the distance to Murombedzi Hospital.
“We used to spend hours waiting to be served at Murombedzi Hospital because the facility was congested.
“As a disabled person, it also took me time to walk from my village to the hospital, but now that we have a clinic in our area, it means we will be attended to faster,” he said.
Chief Zvimba, Mr Stanley Mhondoro, welcomed the project, describing it as a fitting tribute to the late Cde Mugabe.
The clinic has also created employment opportunities for local youths, who are working as nurse aides, groundsmen and general hands.
