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Nyore Madzianike Manicaland Bureau
Biriiri Rural Hospital in Chimanimani is facing a serious water crisis that has forced patients and staff members to fetch water from a river and a borehole located a kilometre away during the past six months.

The water woes started after the submersible pump, which used to supply water to the hospital and staff houses, broke down. Continuous leakages and ageing pipes at the hospital contributed to the crisis which is now posing a serious danger to patients’ health.

“We last had running water more than six months ago,” said a staff member. “The submersible pump which used to supply water broke down some months ago and we have been having difficulties with our hospital laundry. The biggest challenge is that we have women who are expecting. We are now using water from a nearby river which is also contaminated during deliveries. The women also rely on water from the river which is not healthy.

“We are relying on a borehole which is a kilometre away. “It appears that there is no immediate plan to address the issue.”

Sister-in-Charge at the hospital Mrs Elizabeth Tinofa,acknowledged that they had a serious water problem. She said they were improvising to ensure that patients have water at the hospital.

“It is true we have challenges since our pumps are down, but we have put in place mechanisms to make sure that there is water at the hospital,” said Mrs Tinofa. “We are doing our best to provide water to the hospital.”

Chimanimani district medical officer Mr Godwin Choga said he was not in the office. Chimanimani West legislator Cde Nokhuthula Matsikenyeri said she was aware of the problem and will use part of the Community Development Fund to drill a borehole at the hospital.