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Victor Maphosa–Mash East Bureau

The people of Tilita in Ward 3, Hwedza district, will soon stop walking for long hours and distances to the next clinic after Government released devolution funds, which have seen Hwedza Rural District Council converting a farm house into a state-of-the-art clinic that will serve resettled communities closer to their homes. 

The Second Republic has vowed that every citizen must access all critical services closer to their homes. 

As such, Hwedza RDC channelled devolution funds towards the establishment of the health institution to benefit the people of Tilita, who are presently walking for more than 15km to either Hwedza District Hospital or Mount St Mary’s, which is 20km away, to get health services. The clinic is now 95 percent complete and piped water has already been connected after a solar powered borehole was drilled to supply the entire clinic and surrounding community with potable water. 

This week, Hwedza RDC officials toured the project site to assess progress. Hwedza RDC social services officer Ms Patricia Tekede said they had seen the Tilita community travelling for more than 20km in search of health services, and decided to establish the clinic. 

“We are establishing a big clinic here in Tilita, Ward 3, where we have converted a farm house into a modern clinic so that we may provide health services nearer to the people,” said Ms Tekede. 

“These people do not have any clinic nearby and completion of this clinic will bring relief to all of them. We thank Government for providing us with devolution funds which are being used to establish this clinic. The clinic will serve a lot of people and we are grateful as a council.” 

Ward 3 Councillor Alderman Solomon Mutswiri said he was happy with the construction progress. 

“The Second Republic is visionary, they have seen our challenges, especially for the people in the rural areas and availed devolution funds and here we are now, with a modern clinic,” he said. 

“I am happy that President Mnangagwa’s administration has a vision and people at heart, especially here in the rural areas. My people here are happy, they will be served closer and soon they will not walk for longer distances. This New Dispensation is hard working and as Ward 3, we will always support our President. 

“We say thank you President Mnangagwa for developing our communities and for always remembering us.” 

Mrs Nyimbo from Tilita commended Hwedza RDC for using Government availed funds to establish a clinic to the people. 

“We are happy and thankful for this clinic in our village,” she said. “We are currently walking for 20km to Hwedza District Hospital for health services. A lot of people gave birth before reaching Hwedza Hospital or the next clinic, and this is heart breaking. 

“Now, all that will be over thanks to our Government and our President Cde Mnangagwa for devolution funds and addressing our plight. We are grateful.” Mr Yassin Masambu from the same village commended Government for the clinic, adding that besides being closer to the people, there was also employment creation which some villagers were benefiting from. 

He said days of walking to Hwedza Hospital, even in the middle of the night, will soon be history. 

Mr Vengai Tsaurai appealed to the Hwedza RDC to quickly finish the clinic so that they may be served closer to their homes soon. 

“My belief is that our health concerns are now addressed,” he said. “We are happy as a community and we thank all those who contributed towards the establishment of this clinic. I also thank our Government for this.”