Story by Providence Maraneli
BEITBRIDGE-THE Second Republic’s commitment to universal health coverage is on display in once marginalised areas after a new clinic was constructed in Beitbridge using devolution funds.
The National AIDS Council (NAC) has identified illegal crossing points such as Dite, Tshaswingo, and Tshabili as major hotspots for HIV infections and teenage pregnancies, largely driven by illicit night-time activities in these areas.
In response, the government, working in collaboration with development partners, has mobilised resources to construct a clinic aimed at improving access to healthcare services for affected communities.
“We have been walking for more than 30 kilometres to look for health services, and we are so grateful for this development,” a beneficiary said.
“I was in charge of helping women conceive in our community, and it was a risk, but now I am relieved,” a community member said.
“As you know, our children now do these parties and they become pregnant, but we feel with this clinic, they will get the services needed even when they get HIV,” a parent said.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to curb the spread of HIV and reduce teenage pregnancies by bringing critical health interventions closer to the people.
“This is an example of how collaboration can be done to bring development,” Chairperson of the Beitbridge Rural District Council, Cde Oscar Chiromo said.
“We used Devolution funds to finish this clinic, and it has changed the health system of this area,” CEO of the Beitbridge Rural District Council, Mr Peter Ncube, said.
“It gives me joy to see this kind of development; it speaks to the government’s inclusive development agenda,” Beitbridge Senator, Senator Tambudzani Mohadi said.
“This is our small way of helping the community, seeing that this community has a lot of migrants that pass through here,” Representative International Organisation for Migration, Thomas Kalasami said.
The construction of Tshabili clinic speaks to the second republic’s commitment to ensuring that communities do not travel for more than 10 kilometres to seek healthcare services.
“The completion of this facility is not an isolated success, but part of a larger national vision. It reflects our determination to realise Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an Upper Middle-Income Economy. Under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), and as we now prepare for NDS2, the Government has made health, education, water, sanitation, and infrastructure the cornerstones of development. This clinic, therefore, is not merely a local gain; it is a brick in the national edifice of transformation,” the Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Albert Nguluvhe said.
Tshabili clinic serves the Tshabili, Kayase, Madaulo, Mkwatshani, and Lathodi villages in Beitbridge East.
