Zimpapers Logo

Andrew Muvishi  Mash East Correspondent

Mashonaland East Province has embarked on a drive to improve health facilities using devolution funds across all nine districts.

Nine new clinics have been constructed across the nine districts in the province, as efforts are being made to fulfil President Mnangagwa’s desire that no one walks for more than 5km to get to the nearest health facility.

The investment in health facilities is in line with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), and ultimately, Vision 2030 of an upper middle income society.

Under NDS1, the Government is focusing on building, expanding and restoring key infrastructure.

In an interview, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East, Aplonia Munzverengwi, said they will continue to work to ensure peoples’ lives were transformed.

“We have seen new clinics built in all nine districts across the province,” said Minister Munzverengwi.

“The New Dispensation is working tirelessly in order to transform livelihoods of people. We have requested town clerks, chief executive officers and councillors to come to look for projects needed most by residents, resulting in all nine districts benefiting from newly built clinics.”

Minister Munzverengwi said the President’s call to achieve an empowered upper middle income by 2030 requires that no one is left behind.

“In Mudzi, the council embarked on high impact projects which includes construction of four clinics namely Kambanje Clinic in Ward 3, Chori Clinic, Chimango Clinic Ward 4 and Nyamhondoro Clinic,” said Minister Munzverengwi.

“Kambanje Clinic started in 2015 as a community initiative but at a slow pace due to lack of funding and Government chipped in and provided materials for the construction of the clinic and payment of builders.”

Minister Munzverengwi added that Government is committed to take people’s burden by chipping in and providing funds for Chori Clinic, which started in 2010 as a community initiative.

“The Chori clinic project started in 2010 as a community initiative, the community was walking at least 16km to access health services at the nearest health centre. After noticing the burden being carried by people, Government relieved them,” said Minister Munzverengwi.

In Goromonzi, the council built two new clinics, Pote Clinic and Rochester Clinic.

At Pote Clinic, one wing has completed, while at Rochester Clinic, one wing has also been completed.

Marondera Rural District Council has built Chakadini Clinic, an expecting mothers’ shelter and accommodation for staff using devolution funds.

The project started in 2017 after Chakadini Old Students’ Association (COSA) and the community health committee decided to improve health facilities.

The clinic is located in Marondera West’s Ward 10 and has capacity to cater for more than 1 000 people.

Marondera RDC chief executive, Mr Tichafara Gundo, said construction of clinics was part of the major infrastructure projects in progress. 

 As of now, we have completed a clinic block, while the waiting mothers’ shelter and staff accommodation are at 90 percent towards completion, he said.

 Clinics are part of the major infrastructural developments which we are implementing under the devolution concept. 

In Mutoko, the council has finished Bepeta Clinic and two houses for staff using devolution funds, the project had been started in 1997.

Council has also purchased clinic equipment and outpatients section equipment.

Hwedza Rural District Council has built Tilita Clinic, Chinei Clinic, Madzimbahwe Clinic and a staff house.

In Murehwa, the council is putting final touches to Chumachangu Clinic using devolution funds.

The project had started in 2019 as a community initiative. 

At Hoyuyu Clinic in Ward 18, the project which was started in 2001 using constituency development funds, now has a completed superstructure. 

The clinic was commissioned in early 2003 but never opened its doors due to lack of equipment. Villagers were walking for more than 20km to the nearest health centre.

In 2021, the council used devolution funds to purchase clinic equipment, comprising of four beds, three trolleys and two cupboards. 

Minister Munzverengwi has urged town clerks, council CEOs and councillors to finish off all projects that are underway, before they embark on new ones.