Gokwe upgrades clinic with devolution funds
GOKWE Town Council has upgraded Mapfungautsi Polyclinic using devolution funds to improve health care delivery and capacity as the clinic offers services to about 10 000 people.
The small facility could no longer cope with the demand and complex situations presenting at the clinic.
The completion of Mapfungautsi Polyclinic is credited to devolution funds as the project was started and funded by council funds in 2016, but it took four years for the superstructure to reach wall plate level.
However, with the introduction of capital grants through devolution in 2020, it only took two years to complete the clinic which was commissioned recently.
Plans are afoot to have Mapfungautsi Clinic serviced by at least 30 nurses and three doctors, thanks to the devolution funds which the Gokwe Town Council started receiving back in 2019.
The polyclinic comprises a maternity ward, four male and female wards, an opportunistic infections clinic, transitory admissions, three postnatal rooms, two ante-natal care rooms, comprehensive HIV and Aids care services and an outpatient wing.
GTC has been putting devolution funds to good use and completing people-centred projects such as the clinic, classroom blocks, graveling sand roads, street lighting, and purchasing of a tractor and trailer to enhance refuse collection.
The Government from 2019 to date allocated GTC over $1,2 billion and has managed to release over $152 million to the local authority.
Devolution is enshrined in the 2013 Constitution, but its implementation began in earnest with the coming in of the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa when growing sums were budgeted to top up the funds local authorities raise themselves to fund essential infrastructure in their areas.
The Second Republic is scaling up the devolution thrust consistent with President Mnangagwa’s philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind.
The devolution funds are assisting local authorities to fulfill their obligation of ensuring improved access to social amenities across the country through the development of key infrastructure such as clinics, classroom blocks, roads, and bridges among other facilities.
The devolution agenda has also encouraged communities to participate in the development agenda that affects them thus enhancing public scrutiny of projects and accountability by local authorities.
According to Mr Alexander Nyandoro, GTC acting town secretary, the devolution funds are helping the local authority to transform lives in previously marginalised areas.
“Because of the devolution funds, we now have infrastructural development, improved living standards for the people, improved Government visibility in communities through council and community participation,” he said.
“Since the devolution agenda picked momentum under the Second Republic, it has strengthened local democracy and enhanced allocative efficiency in the supply of public funds, goods and services.”
Mr Nyandoro noted that the devolution agenda was a people-centred initiative which places communities at the centre of local economic development thereby enhancing community-driven development.
“Through public consultations, communities decide and prioritise projects to embark on. One of the pillars of democracy is citizen participation and citizen engagement. This participation has increased public scrutiny of public officials thereby enhancing transparency and public accountability,” said Mr Nyandoro.
He said Mapfungautsi Polyclinic was constructed to avail health services to residents adding that is it currently servicing over 10 000 people.
“The clinic offers maternity, outpatient department, HIV testing, counselling and treatment, family planning, child health, and environmental health services. The availability of the clinic has reduced travelling for residents in Mapfungautsi, Kambasha, and Sasame from 10km to Gokwe South General Hospital to 5km to access health services,” said Mr Nyandoro.