Story by Gay Matambo
PUBLIC-Private partnerships have been identified as a key driver in advancing universal health coverage following the commissioning of a new health care facility in Mutasa District, Manicaland Province.
The Hwizo Marara Health Care Facility was officially opened on Thursday after being constructed through a collaborative effort between Government and its development partners, under a public-private partnership involving the Hear Africa Foundation.
The new clinic marks a significant development for communities that have long struggled to access basic medical services. For years, residents were forced to travel more than 15 kilometres to Manica Bridge or Old Mutare, often relying on ox-drawn carts or expensive hired transport, particularly during medical emergencies.
Community members described the opening of the facility as a major relief.
“Construction works for this clinic began last year in August and now it is complete. It is going to assist many villages. We used to travel 15 kilometers for medical assistance. Pregnant women are also going to benefit because there is a maternity section here,” community member said.
“It was a hustle to access medical services because we used to travel to Manica Bridge for medical assistance. We welcome this development with open hands,” a villager said.
“We used to travel to Mount Jenya that is 10 kilometers from here or to clinics in Old Mutare. We normally have Malaria outbreaks here and we would face a big challenge to get medical attention but now that this clinic is opening its doors to the community, we are grateful,” a beneficiary said.
The president of Hear Africa Foundation, Mr Bediam Zimbiti expressed his organisation’s pride in seeing the project reach fruition.
“We are happy that this project is complete but apart from this project we have also constructed a school called Mainje primary school and we support orphanages as well in Mutare. We are also doing similar developmental projects in Mashonaland. We want to promote sustainable in the country,” he said.
The local leadership in Manicaland Province lauded this collaboration as a prime example of how government and development partners can work together to achieve universal health access.
“We are grateful for such developmental programmes that are being brought to us by government and its development partners. More than five villages are going to benefit from this health care facility and as a community we are very happy,” Headman Michael Sadziwa said.
Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, said collaboration remained central to national development.“We collectively have to work to build a healthier productive and resilient nation. Together let us continue to develop our country brick by brick stone by stone,” Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza said.
The Hwizo Marara Health Care Facility is equipped to provide outpatient services, maternity care and basic emergency procedures. It is expected to serve more than 1 200 households, significantly improving access to health services, reducing preventable deaths and enhancing overall community well-being.
