Zimpapers Logo

Sydney Kawadza Mash West Bureau Chief

Government will soon conduct interviews for the recruitment of a clinical officer for Siakobvu Hospital as part of efforts to improve services at the health facility in the remote Nyaminyami District.

Siakobvu Hospital covers areas such as Mola and Msambakaruma, which are difficult to reach because of rugged terrain and Government this year allocated $500 000 for repairs and the procurement of equipment for the institution.

The Mashonaland West provincial medical director’s office recently took over the repair and rehabilitation programme from the district offices to expedite the project.

Mashonaland West provincial medical director Dr Wenceslaus Nyamayaro said district officers who are based in Kariba were finding it difficult to coordinate the programme effectively.

“Because of the location of Kariba and Siakobvu, the administration is located in Kariba at the moment, co-ordinating of the works is very difficult at the moment, so we decided to temporarily take it over from this office since we also have got Public Works Department provincial team so (as) the two teams, we are working together.

“Siakobvu was allocated $500 000 this year for repairs targeting general repairs at the institution, mortuary, the borehole, electric fence and the hospital equipment just to make sure that they operate normally.”

Dr Nyamayaro said the programme has already seen the repair of all kitchen equipment including the installation of the electric stoves and pots, gas stoves and all related utensils.

Tenders for refrigeration supplies and repairs, refurbishment of incinerator plant, generator repairs, supply, installation and repairs of medical equipment, installation and repair of a theatre gas plant, sinking and fixing borehole water supply and supplying of a solar security fencing have already been issued.

“Our people are following up on the tender documents hoping that they will prioritise what is going to be done first. The generators were not working for almost 22 years but our people resuscitated them and what is now needed is putting service on them then put the power backup,” he said.

Dr Nyamayaro said Government was also looking at the option of engaging the District Development Fund for sinking and fixing of the borehole at the hospital.

“In a few days’ time we will do interviews for clinical officer for Siakobvu so that we have someone senior at the hospital. The clinical officer is someone who can do a bit of duties like doctors, they can do a bit of some operations and once we beefed up there, the level of service will be higher,” he said.

A vehicle has already been deployed to ease transport at Siakobvu Hospital.

“We have also identified all the vehicles that need to be repaired and we have advised the district on what they need to do so that they beef up the transport system.”

Dr Nyamayaro applauded the construction of the Karoi-Binga Road which is expected to improve traveling to Siakobvu and surrounding areas.

He added that long-term plans will see Siakobvu Hospital being transformed into a referral hospital servicing at least 30 000 people.

Government early this year resolved to make Siakobvu a priority area with Vice President Chiwenga visiting the area to look at projects that could be initiated to spur development in the district.