Devolution funds provide kiss of life
THE Second Republic commenced disbursing funds allocated for multiple high-impact infrastructure development projects under the devolution programme in 2021, and the funds have proved impactful in improving the living standards of rural communities.
Government has made significant strides in ensuring that everyone has access to health services within a reasonable walking distance through devolution funds.
This saw the Mbundire, Mutasa and Maburutse Clinics in Buhera District being commissioned recently.
People from across the province have applauded Government and their respective rural district councils for channeling the devolution funds towards the construction of health facilities in remote areas.
As a result, people in rural areas no longer have to travel long distances to access basic primary health care.
In line with President Mnangagwa’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind, devolution funds have trickled down to rural clinics and primary healthcare centres in remote parts of the province.
These facilities play a crucial role in preventive care, maternal health, and disease surveillance.
Projects such as Mbundire, Mutasa and Maburutse Clinics in Buhera are some of the success story of the devolution programme.
The three clinics save a catchment area of more than 40 000 people. The clinics will not only allow easier access to health services to Manicaland residents, but Mashonaland East and Masvingo Provinces as well.
Most of the people who will be accessing services at Maburutse Clinic will be from the nearby Gutu District as the clinic is only a few kilometres from that district, while some of those who will be accessing services at Mbundire Clinic will be crossing from Chivhu District.
Government partnered with the United Methodist Church, the community and Buhera Rural District Council in the construction of Maburutse Clinic. A solar system and water system were also installed there.
The Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza said the construction of the three clinics is evidence that Government is committed to leaving no one and no place behind.
Said Minister Mugadza: “We are grateful to President Mnangagwa and Government for their vision and support to make devolution a reality. These clinics are testimony of how devolution funds are transforming our province and the nation at large. We will continue to work hard to ensure that no place is left behind in terms of development and service delivery.
“Maburutse, Mbundire and Mutasa Clinics will also help in reducing maternal mortality rates in the district. Maburutse Clinic has a state-of-the-art maternity wing. We heard that our expecting mothers were previously dying on their way to seek
medical attention at health facilities that are far away, but that is now be a thing of the past as the clinic is nearer to them,” he said.
According to Buhera Rural District Council chief executive officer, Dr Emily Chibvongodze, the Maburutse Clinic project which was initiated by the community was completed with the assistance of devolution funds.
She expressed gratitude to Government for availing devolution funds to local authorities, and said the clinic will improve health services in the area.
“This clinic is a testimony of the benefits of devolution funds and the collaboration between Government and the people. We are grateful for the support we received from Government
and other stakeholders.
“This clinic will serve more than 10 000 people in this area and improve their access to quality health care. We are proud of what we have achieved together, and we hope to continue working on more development projects in the future.”
The construction of the clinic in Maburutse has brought relief to local villagers who used to travel long distances to Chikomba and Gutu districts for health services.
A villager, Ms Enesy Murumbi said: “We are excited and thankful for this project. It will improve our access to health care and reduce the distance we have to travel to access medical services. We hope Government will continue to support us and other marginalised communities with more development projects.” Another villager, Mrs Rumbidzai Mbiri of Mupunhairi Village said: “We are very happy that we now have a clinic near our homes. “Before, we had to walk for hours to reach the nearest health centre, which was very difficult, especially for pregnant women and children. Now we can access quality health care services without any hassle. We thank Government for listening to our needs and delivering this project.”
In Mutasa District, the local authority constructed Jenya, Chidazembe, Muparutsa and Magadzire Clinics using devolution funds.
In Nyanga District, devolution funds were channeled towards the construction of Mukunza, Sanhanhi, Sande-Munemo, Nyajezi and Mapako Clinics, which are all strategically located across the district. Chimanimani Rural District Clinic upgraded Mhakwe Clinic and constructed Hotsprings Clinic to help ease the pressure on tens of thousands of villagers.
The district also constructed the stateof-the-art Runyararo Clinic in Runyararo Village, which serve the survivors of the March 2019 Cyclone Idai.
The disbursement of devolution funds aligns with Zimbabwe’s commitment to promote inclusive and balanced socio-economic development across the country.
Government aims to empower local communities and enhance their well-being through strategic investments and efficient resource utilisation.
Being a key pillar of the Second Republic’s vision of transforming Zimbabwe into an upper-middle income economy by 2030, the programme aims to empower provinces and districts to plan, implement and monitor their own development initiatives according to their needs and priorities.
As a result, provincial and metropolitan councils, as well as local authorities receive substantial amounts from treasury which they primarily direct towards critical areas such as health, transport, education, electricity, social amenities, water, and sanitation projects.
In 2023, Manicaland was allocated the third biggest chunk of the money (ZWL21.3 billion) after Midlands (ZWL23.7 billion) and Mashonaland West (ZWL22.8 billion).
Buhera Rural District Council was allocated about ZWL2.3 billion, Chipinge RDC (ZWL2.4 billion), Makoni Rural District and Rusape Town councils (ZWL1.2 billion and ZWL736 million respectively), Mutasa RDC (ZWL1.8 billion), Nyanga RDC (ZWL1.8 billion) and Mutare City Council (ZWL1.5 billion).
These funds have been substantially utilised as councils rolled out various key projects in health.