Devolution funds boost health care in Mazoe
Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
DEVOLUTION funds have been put to good use in Mazowe District where a new clinic being constructed at Lazy Seven Farm is nearing completion.
The construction of the clinic has brought smiles to residents of the area after years of travelling more than 15 kilometres to the nearest clinics such as Cranham, Jongwe and Sandringham for health care.
A villager said, “We had many challenges in terms of access to health care, we would travel 16 to 40 kilometres to access health. Sandringham is the nearest, Cranham is 20 kilometres away or we would go to Concession 40 kilometres away. So, we are happy with the creation of a new clinic.”
“I am excited at the prospect of having a clinic nearby. This will help especially pregnant women. We had cases of women losing their babies due to late access to medical care. Labour comes unexpected you know, even if one is prepared anything can happen along the way,” said another villager.
One of the villagers said, “Construction of this clinic started as a community project and people were moulding bricks and doing the work but thanks to the government, the council came on board and the pace of the project changed completely. Bricks were brought overnight and we had council workmen coming here to provide services, so we are grateful for devolution.”
Mazowe Rural District Council Chairperson Councillor Johnson Mudzingwa gave an update on the construction of the clinic which includes staff quarters.
“I want to thank the programme that President ED Mnangagwa has started regards devolution. We as Mazowe have benefitted a lot since devolution started, we have done water reticulation in Glendale, repaired roads in Concession and regards health we have built Gombekombe clinic, Chigwidza clinic and staff houses. Right now, we are building the Lazy Seven clinic. We have built everything and we are left with plastering and flooring,” he said.
Two other clinics constructed through devolution in Chiweshe, Mazowe District are ready for commissioning.
In Muzarabani, Nyamaridza Clinic was commissioned in December, while Chomutukutu Clinic opened its doors to the people of Rushinga last year.
Shamva District has also benefited after the construction of Matanda Clinic while Makaya Clinic in Bindura awaits commissioning.
