Government universal health coverage drive hailed in Chiredzi
Story by Gay Matambo
THE establishment of a new pharmacy at Chiredzi General Hospital is on course, with construction works expected to be complete next year.
The medicines storage facility at Chiredzi General Hospital was now failing to cope with the growing population in the district.
However, through the Global Fund, the Ministry of Health and Child Care set out to establish a new modern pharmacy at the district hospital that speaks to modern standards in local healthcare delivery.
This has excited beneficiaries of the pharmacy who, sometimes would walk close to five kilometres from the hospital to the nearest pharmacy in search of medicine.
One of the beneficiaries said, “We would like to thank the government for the efforts it is making to improve the health sector in our area. Many clinics have been constructed and now, this pharmacy.”
“We want to applaud the government for constructing another pharmacy for the community at Chiredzi General Hospital. Patients will now get medication close by at affordable prices as well. As you can see, I’m carrying this medicine for my relative who is admitted here. I had to go back to town to buy the medicine so if we have a modern pharmacy here at the hospital, it will make life easy for us,” said another.
Chiredzi District medical officer, Dr Brian Dhlandlara revealed that two more pharmacies are being constructed at Chikombedzi Mission and Malipati hospitals.
“Due to the increasing population in Chiredzi district, our pharmacy was becoming too small and inadequate due to the high temperatures which are experienced in Chiredzi district. This was threatening to affect the quality of our medicines. As an intervention, the Ministry of Health and Child Care through the Global Fund is establishing three modern pharmacies, one here at Chiredzi General Hospital, the other one at Chikombedzi Mission Hospital and another one at Malipati Hospital,” he said.
The government is on a drive to achieve universal health coverage with a target to ensure there is a health facility in every five-kilometre radius.
