admin
Victor Maphosa-Mash East Bureau
THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) has handed over a newly constructed Chakadini Clinic to the Chihota community in Marondera district in a yet another milestone in the military’s endeavour to guarantee and promote a vibrant health delivery system to the people.
The ZDF provided artisans who constructed the whole structure of the clinic and staff houses, which will house four families.
Construction of this clinic was a brainchild of the Chakadini Old Students Association after realising the long distances walked by the community to Mahusekwa and Madamombe for health services.
The Government then came in with devolution funds through Marondera Rural District Council, Constituency Development Funds through the office of Marondera West Constituency legislator Cde Sphiwe Mukunyaidze (ZANU PF).
The Chakadini Old Students Association also contributed while community members offered general labour.
Handing over the clinic, ZDF Chief of Staff General Staff Major General Kasirai Tazira said the ZDF remains committed to assisting communities across the country.
“The undertaking of community assistance projects remain a top priority of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. It is through projects of this nature that ZDF has managed to create the much needed synergies with the country’s communities and further engage symbiotic relationship that has existed between the ZDF and the masses dating back to the time of the liberation struggle.
“It must be understood that such a relationship between men and women in uniform and their civilian counterparts is ideal for positive socio-economic development.
“The clarion call for assistance to construct Chakadini clinic was acknowledged by the ZDF without any reservations having realised that health is the cornerstone of any meaningful national economic development and resonates well with the Vision of His Excellency for attaining an upper middle economy society by 2030.”
Major General Tazira said he hoped the new clinic will go a long way in alleviating the plight of the beneficiaries.
He said the ZDF’s engagement in projects like the construction of the clinic reflects a commitment to support and advance national programmes and initiatives as enshrined in the Defence Forces mandate.
“Let me hasten to assure the community that the ZDF will remain mandated to render the necessary assistance in times of need.”
He implored beneficiaries of the clinic to safeguard it so that even the next generation can also benefit from it.
He also hailed the artisans from the ZDF and the community for a job well done.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East Province applauded the relationship between the army and the people, which has enabled the construction of Chakadini clinic.
She also thanked President Mnangagwa for availing devolution funds which are accelerating development in the province.
Speaking on behalf of the Chakadini Old Students Association, Mr Jerold Sasa thanked President Mnangagwa for availing devolution funds which were used during construction of the clinic. He also saluted the army artisans for a sterling job.
Mr Sasa said the community is happy because soon, they will access health services nearby, and walking for close to 15 km to get the critical services is now a thing of the past.
He said as an association, they are happy that their dream has come to fruition.
Chakadini community thanked Government for availing devolution funds, the army and Chakadini Old Students Association for the clinic. Mrs Tsitsi Tapera thanked Government for devolution funds which sped up construction of the clinic and artisans from the army for expediting construction works.
“We have been walking for more than 12 km to Mahusekwa or Madamombe for health services. Imagine a pregnant woman walking that distance, or if she is experiencing labour pains, this is the challenge we are facing. However, we are thankful to everyone who made construction of this clinic possible. Not only pregnant women, but we have the elderly of the community who do not afford to hire a vehicle to Mahusekwa, so they would have to walk.
“We appeal to Government to quickly deploy friendly nurses and other health personnel to assist us here. We also appeal to Government to open this clinic now so we get assistance nearby.”
Mrs Merjury Muzuva said Government should be commended for availing funds saying that now they are witnessing development in their communities.
“Chakadini community is happy and thankful to Government for devolution funds. Now we can also witness development in our community and this makes us happy. We thank Chakadini Old Students Association led by Mr Jerold Sasa who spearheaded construction of this clinic.
“We are also thanking our army artisans who worked tirelessly to ensure the whole structure including staff houses are completed,” she said. Ms Angelista Manduna said God has answered their prayers and walking for long distances is now history. “May God grant more life to our President, the army and everyone who put a hand in the establishment of this facility. We thank God for giving them a vision to construct this clinic. My prayer is for this gesture to be done in all communities across the country.”
Online Reporter