Story by Memory Chamisa
The Second Republic is living up to the mantra of leaving no one and no place behind in the health sector after the construction of Mataga Health Centre in Mberengwa District.
With a donkey-drawn cart being the mode of transport for many in rural areas, the journey to Musume Hospital, the only health facility offering maternity services in the Mberengwa district, was a tough call for expecting mothers.
Some would not make it and would give birth on their way.
That is all in the past for people like Gogo Maria Macheza and her daughters-in-law after the construction of the Mataga Health Centre right at her doorstep.
“This is a wonderful development that has happened for us and our children. Long back we would go to the clinic on donkey-drawn scotch carts which was unpleasant, as things evolved there, we had these buses and now go-fast motors,” Gogo noted.
“The construction of the clinic is a welcome development that we greatly appreciate and I’m going to take my daughters-in-law there when the time comes for them to give birth.”
For Tendai Gwemende, a voluntary health worker in the area, not only will the facility hasten diagnosis and treatment for women with cervical cancer, but it will also save lives.
“Most women would give up the fight against cervical cancer as they would lose hope because of the distance they would have to travel for screening and treatment,” Gwemende said.
“Many would even stay at home knowing the severity of the disease, so this is a huge development that will some women in the area and ensure that they are healthy to look after their families,” Gwemende further stated.
The construction of Mataga Health Centre is part of the US$210 million investment made by the government through the Ministry of Health and Child Care, which has contracted NMS Infrastructure Limited of the United Kingdom for project implementation.
Under the collaboration, 30 healthcare centres and five district hospitals will be built across the country with a focus on rural areas.
Midlands Province Medical Director, Dr Mary Muchekesa and NMSI construction Manager Mr Donald Fraser concur the health centre is a shot in the arm for the local community.
“Construction of Mataga clinic is a very positive development and relief for locals not only for Mataga but also surrounding communities,” noted Dr Muchekesa.
“It is going to be a huge benefit for the community. This will become the focal point for the area as they have had to travel to Zvishavane,” noted Mr Fraser.
“The hospital is now 97 per cent complete having started last year and now awaits installation of equipment, landscaping Solar system will be going in next week and a few touch-ups.”
“This project, not only has it created employment for locals, it has also seen skills transfer for continuity purposes and maintenance,” Mr Fraser added.
The government has been working round the clock in implementing comprehensive reforms in the country’s health sector to ensure universal access to health care.
