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Talent Chimutambgi recently in Shurugwi
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) have brought relief to the people of Shurugwi with the construction of a modern clinic at Tongogara.
The clinic will go a long way in helping thousands of villagers in the catchment area, especially the elderly and expecting mothers, as well as emergency cases.
The initiative came as part of the peacetime mandate of the ZDF of assisting communities as enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
Every year, before celebrating the Defence Forces Day, the ZDF embarks on various projects to assist communities in overcoming challenges.
This year’s 43rd celebrations on Tuesday next week will run under the theme “Brick by Brick, Stone upon Stone – Zimbabwe Defence Forces: Creating a Conducive Environment for the Attainment of Vision 2030.”
At Tongogara Clinic, the ZDF conducted free health services with at least 600 patients attended to per day since the advent of community assistance week.
A considerable number of wards – 7, 11, 12, 13, 19 and 24 – in Shurugwi will all be serviced by Tongogara Clinic.
The success of the project came about as a result of collective efforts from the local community working together with the ZDF using funds from the devolution programme.
The clinic houses maternity wards, admission facilities for both men and women, the pediatric department, as well as the casualty and emergencies sections, which suits it well for a referral status.
Sakunda Holdings, led by renowned businessman Mr Kudakwashe Tagwirei, donated a brand new ambulance for the clinic and pledged to construct a mortuary as well as a service vehicle for police.
The health institution was named after the distinguished liberation war hero Cde Josiah Magama Tongogara and was the brainchild of Tongogara Rural District Council.
Commander ZDF General Phillip Valerio Sibanda led the commissioning of the health institution flanked by senior military officers.
Speaking during the ceremony, Gen Sibanda said the initiative resonated well with national development plans on health services.
“The construction of this polyclinic is in line with the Second Republic’s endeavours to develop health infrastructure which have resulted in many clinics being built, upgraded or repaired as the country goes into overdrive to improve the health sector,” he said.
“In this regard, the ultimate goal for constructing Tongogara Polyclinic was to ease the cost of travelling to Shurugwi District Hospital by bringing essential health services nearer the communities.
“This is in tandem with the Government’s policy that people should not travel more than 10km to access health care services.
“Furthermore, this clinic will decongest the district hospital and provide a 24-hour access to medical services to the surrounding communities. This improved localised health infrastructure contributes significantly to the attainment of the NDS1 on health and social well-being.”
In the same area of Shurugwi, the ZDF also constructed a classroom block at Kubatana Secondary School in 2019 and Munikwa Clinic in 2020.
Gen Sibanda paid tribute to the Tongogara community and other stakeholders involved in the initiative.
The ceremony was attended by thousands from the local community and traditional leaders among them, Chiefs Banga, Ndanga and Nhema.
Other projects commissioned so far include a classroom block at Gurungweni Secondary School in Chikombedzi, which was opened by the Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Opah Muchinguri-Kashiri.
Her Permanent Secretary, Cde Aaron Nhepera presided at the commissioning of Mbamba Clinic in Tsholotsho and a classroom block in Nyabira was commissioned by Commander Zimbabwe National Army Lieutenant General David Sigauke.
Online Reporter