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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
OVER 2 000 women from Garanyemba and surrounding villages in Gwanda are set to benefit from improved maternal health care services following the commissioning of the Garanyemba Clinic Waiting Mothers’ Shelter.
The project had stalled for seven years and had to be completed using devolution funds, which have transformed the health sector, with new clinics emerging in several districts in the Matabeleland region as the Second Republic steps up the inclusive developmental philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind.
The programme has helped local authorities across the country to boost health service delivery, particularly in rural areas where the majority of citizens often endure long journeys to access healthcare.
With social amenities and infrastructure development being some of the major pillars of the National Development Strategy (NDS1), councils have dedicated a larger chunk of devolution funds to healthcare provision through the construction of clinics.
The upgraded clinic services eight villages, namely Garanyemba, Switsha, Zhokwe, Sifanjani, Nsimbi, Mtandawenema and Mawane 1 and 2 villages.
Speaking after the commissioning of the project by Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, who was represented by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister, Dr Omphile Marupi, community members hailed the Government for facilitating development through devolution.
Ms Nokuthula Ncube from Garanyemba said the new shelter would alleviate challenges faced by expecting mothers.
“It hasn’t been easy for expecting mothers as they have been travelling long distances for their antenatal visits. Sometimes they were being ferried in scotch carts to go and deliver, which is highly risky,” she said.
“With this shelter, we feel greatly empowered as women as our health is being prioritised.
“We will now be able to put up at the Waiting Mother’s Shelter towards delivery time in order to ensure the safety of expecting mothers and their unborn babies,” said Ms Ncube.
“The shelter will also help to ensure that expecting mothers have access to an appropriate diet.”
Garanyemba Clinic Health Centre committee chairperson, Mr Gezani Dube, said the devolution funds have helped the community bring to life a project that had remained a dream for a long time.
“The Waiting Mother’s Shelter project started eight years ago, but limited funding stalled the project. Our area had a clinic, but to us, it was incomplete as we needed a waiting mother’s shelter,” he said.
“Women were forced to travel to Gwanda Provincial Hospital as it was the nearest facility that could accommodate them. Now, we have a clinic that can effectively service the community.”
Garanyemba village head, Mr Mkhubo Ndlovu, commended the Second Republic for its continued efforts to bring key services closer to communities. He said rural areas continue to record significant development, which did not exist in the past.
Dr Ndlovu commended the community for being actively involved in projects that are being implemented by the Government. She said community members continue to provide labour and have also displayed ownership of the projects.
“Government is embarking on development projects across all the provinces and districts of the country, so that no one and no place is left behind, even in the health delivery sector, as we are witnessing today.
“I want to thank and appreciate His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr ED Mnangagwa for availing devolution funds to all local authorities in the country. This has led to improved service delivery by local authorities to communities at large. This is a welcome development within our communities,” she said.
Matabeleland South province has witnessed a massive improvement in the health sector with 12 clinics having been completed last year. Four are in Bulilima District, two in Matobo District, two others in Mangwe and two more in Gwanda with another new clinic in Insiza and one in Umzingwane. — @DubeMatutu
Online Reporter