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Conrad Mupesa in Mhangura
Government and Makonde Rural District Council have been urged to build a clinic that would serve villagers from areas such as Gravelotte in Mhangura. The villagers who walk at least 40 km to Doma Clinic, the nearest health institution, said they feel rejected and marginalised despite playing a huge role in the economy of Zimbabwe through farming and gold mining.

Mrs Jennifa Kaireza, a villager said they rely mostly on medical outreach programmes that are not even regular.

“Most people who stay in this area are peasant farmers who also double as gold panners when we are off the summer agricultural season.

“Our living conditions require a health facility that is close since farmers are susceptible to snake bites while the potential for violence is always rife among artisanal miners.”

Villagers are also said to jostle for free contraceptives given to them by the Ministry of Health and Child Care whenever outreaches are conducted.

“It’s so touching that whenever we visit that place for outreach programmes, villagers at some point fight for condoms or contraceptive pills as they will be hoping to get a better share for themselves since they are rarely provided to them,” said a nurse at Doma Clinic, who requested anonymity.

“The road to this area is so bad that transport operators normally shun it, thereby leaving the farmers with no option but to walk more than 40km to this institution.”

Makonde RDC social welfare officer Mrs Ndaizivei Mwale said although the situation was dire in that area, the local authority was also failing to raise enough revenue from residents and rate payers.

“Low revenue flows have affected the construction of health institution by the local authority which currently has at least five clinics across the district,” she said.