Magadzire Clinic commissioned
ACCESS to quality preventative and curative healthcare tops the priority list of the Second Republic, whose endeavour is to see every citizen leading a healthy lifestyle for the prosperity of the country.
This was said by Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza during the commissioning of Magadzire Clinic, which was constructed using devolution funds in Mutasa Central Constituency on Tuesday.
The health facility is expected to serve at least 3 500 villagers who were travelling several kilometres to St Barbra’s and Bonda mission hospitals to access health services.
“This marks a milestone achievement for the Magadzire community, which previously walked long distances to access health care, and it is the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa’s commitment to leave no place and no one behind.
“Access to quality healthcare for all Zimbabweans is a priority for the Second Republic. This project, motivated by the desire to provide health services to the Magadzire community and surrounding villages was started in November 2016, with contributions from Defence Minister, Honourable Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who back then was Water and Climate Change Minister.
“She immensely contributed to the takeoff of the project with material support as well as guidance. Previously, the community was walking long distances of between 10 to 20km to access health services at St Barbra’s and Bonda mission hospitals. The clinic will serve villages in Ward 12, including Nyasvimbo, Nyamurundira, Mupatsi, Banhu and Gumi, and two villages in Ward 14 – Kasikai and Makaha.
“A total of 3 500 people will benefit from this health facility and these include the elderly, pregnant and lactating mothers, children under the age of five as well as people living with disabilities.
“To foster community ownership, the Magadzire community provided labour, security and locally available materials such as river sand. Mutasa Rural District Council supported the project with monetary resources. I would also like to thank our caring Government ably led by our listening President Mnangagwa for disbursing devolution funds that the council used towards the construction and equipping of the clinic. Common diseases in the area are water-borne, like diarrhoea and chronic diseases such as hypertension. The elderly who are prone to these chronic diseases were finding it difficult to travel long distances to collect their medication. More-so, expecting mothers were facing similar challenges of walking long distances. The infrastructure at this institution is made up of five buildings which include the main-wing for the clinic, waiting mothers’ shelter, one staff house and ablution facilities. All the work was completed and electrification is just awaiting approval from the relevant authorities,” said Minister Mugadza.
Mutasa Central legislator, Professor Innocent Benza hailed Government for expediting clinic’s construction, which he said will go a long way in alleviating the health situation in the area.
“This clinic was first mooted in 2016, but construction only started when the Second Republic got into office and timeously released the funds. This shows that Government has the people at heart. Vision 2030 is also anchored on a healthy nation and we want to applaud President Mnangagwa for ensuring that,” said Professor Benza.
Meanwhile, Minister Mugadza continued with district interactive meetings where he engaged leaders from various sectors to hear their concerns and challenges.
He has so far held engagement meetings in Chimanimani, Makoni, Mutare Urban, Chipinge, Nyanga, and on Tuesday he was in Mutasa where he held a meeting with officials from the local authority, civil service, churches, development partner, business community and war veterans, among others.
Minister Mugadza later commissioned service delivery equipment like dumper truck, front-end loader, grader and a tractor acquired by Mutasa Rural District Council using devolution funds and own resources.