Story by Tamuka Charakupa
An additional solar system has been installed at Raffingora Rural Hospital in Mashonaland West Province, in a development set to improve health care services in the area.
The installation of an additional solar system at the rural hospital is a problem solved as the health facility was relying on the nearby Banket Hospital for low temperature storage facilities.
“We are connected on the grid, but with the recurring power cuts it is not safe to have critical medications stored only on electricity power. The solar system we had is being over powered, so we welcome this additional supply,” said Nurse in Charge, Mr Rodrick Chiranga.
“We have several facilities which still need such an intervention. Some facilities have waiting mothers’ shelters, which means operation runs 24/7 and lighting becomes of critical importance. We are now in the rainy season which means high prevalence and movement of snakes. This is a welcome move which needs to be implemented across all the facilities in the district,” said Zvimba District Medical officer, Dr Terence Dandadzi.
The Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Marian Chombo, who is also the legislator for Zvimba North, invited the private sector to compliment government efforts in improving health care services.
“As government we remain focused towards attaining our Universal Health Care targets through upgrading our health facilities, provision of critical medicines, trained and qualified personnel but we cannot do it alone. We received a hand from POTRAZ which assisted with the installation of this solar system. The door is open, we need the private sector to join hands so that the health sector improve,” she said.
Government is currently implementing the National Community Health Strategy, which among other things, aims to establish at least a health centre within a five-kilometre radius as part of efforts to ensure universal health coverage.
