Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
WEDZA District is poised to welcome a new health facility in April this year, as part of government efforts to improve access to essential health care in rural communities.
The clinic, located in the Chinei area, has been under construction to address pressing maternal and infant health challenges. For years, expectant mothers and patients in the area faced long and often dangerous journeys to distant health facilities.
The project initially began as a community initiative, with local residents volunteering labour and resources to construct the facility. The Wedza Rural District Council (RDC) later adopted the project, providing funding and technical support to complete the clinic.
“Pregnant women and patients with chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure have had to travel long distances, sometimes with fatal consequences. We are now relieved that the clinic is nearing completion,” a local resident said.
“I am happy that the clinic is nearing completion. As women, we face a lot of challenges, as some places are very far away from Wedza centre. A villager pregnant with twins lost one child due to transport challenges a few days ago so we are looking forward to this facility being completed soon,” another resident said.
The volunteer workforce, comprising 16 builders from the area, has been instrumental in the project.
“We are 16 builders who volunteered to construct the clinic before the council chipped in. We are now completing the nurses’ house and painting the clinic as we are finishing up construction works,” a builder said.
Local leadership has highlighted the critical role of the clinic in promoting health access.
“At the moment, we go to Wedza, and if you do not have money for transport, you cannot access health facilities,” Village Head Mr Noel Dzvairo said.
“We saw that we had a challenge of health facilities that are far away from us, resulting in some pregnant women dying while giving birth on their way to health facilities. Those on ARVs would default after failing to get bus fares to collect their medication. This project was started by the community before the council took over,” Councillor Wedza Ward 5 Alderman Faustina Mukondwa said.
Wedza RDC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Fredrick Jongwe, revealed that construction of the health facility is almost complete.
“As council, we decided to have one project per ward, and Chinei Clinic is one such project. We are working towards the completion of the project in the first quarter of 2026. It will serve more than 10 000 people, and this will help to decongest the Wedza clinic. Our anticipation is that we will finish the staff house that will accommodate at least two nurses. The main clinic is 95% complete, we are mainly left with painting and window sills, among other finishing touches. This clinic was started by the locals, and later, devolution, and council funds were utilised,” he said.
The long walks of despair will soon be replaced by a new chapter of hope as the Second Republic scales up efforts to advance the devolution agenda, which promotes inclusive development.
