Mazarire to push for new provincial hospital

ZANU-PF Masvingo Urban National Assembly candidate Cde Taguma Mazarire has pledged to push for the construction of a new, modern and well-equipped provincial hospital in the country’s oldest town if he romps to victory in the harmonised elections set for July 30.

Plans to construct a new provincial hospital here have been on the cards for many years, with lack of funding blamed for delaying kick-off of the project.

Preliminary estimates indicate that at least $120 million would be required to build the new facility at a new site that was identified close to the Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway.

“Once I am elected Member of Parliament for Masvingo Urban I am going to lobby the Government to construct a new provincial hospital, which will be equipped enough to carter for major operations,” said Cde Mazarire.

He said the new provincial referral hospital would be equipped to cater for patients with serious complications since the existing Masvingo General Hospital was overwhelmed and poorly equipped.

“We do not have many specialist doctors at Masvingo General Hospital and patients with complications are forced to travel either to Harare or Bulawayo,” he said. “The hospital (Masvingo General) is more of a district health facility given that it is not well equipped to conduct crucial operations.

“We cannot expect a patient from say, Malipati near the Mozambique border to travel to Harare, the burden will be too much.

“Masvingo City council availed 10 hectares to Government for the construction of a provincial hospital and what is required now are resources to start the project.”

Turning to his election campaign, Cde Mazarire expressed optimism of winning the Masvingo Urban seat resoundingly.