The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent
THE Second Republic has provided a lifeline to about 13 000 villagers in Nzvimbe area of Makoni South following the commissioning of the state-of-the-art Nzvimbe Rural Health Centre which was built using devolution funds.
The Nzvimbe Clinic project was first mooted in 1985 to cater for the newly resettled villagers, but failed to take off the ground.
The dream only came true for the local community when the Second Republic took heed of their calls for a health facility to be built in the area.
Villagers in the cholera and malaria prone area used to travel more than 15km to access health services, but this is now a thing of the past.
Commissioning the health centre on Wednesday, the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza commended Government for availing funds for the construction of the clinic.
“The completion of Nzvimbe Clinic is a clear testimony of the Second Republic’s dedication to ensure a robust health delivery system across the country.
“This clinic which marks a significant milestone in the history of Nzvimbe was constructed as a direct response to the challenges which were confronting the people of Ward 31, Makoni South, in terms of accessing health care services.
“The health centre will serve a population of about 13 000 people comprising pregnant mothers, under five children, men and women as well as people living with disabilities.
“All these groups of people were having a torrid time in accessing healthcare delivery services as they were walking very long distances to reach their nearest health centres.
“The idea of setting up this clinic was first conceived in 1985, but was only implemented after the coming in of the Second Republic, led by His Excellency, President Mnangagwa. Millions of dollars were disbursed from Government in 2019 through devolution funds.
“The Nzvimbe community is set to enjoy the following advantages from this clinic — reduction of mortality rates from diseases such as cholera and malaria. The high maternal and neonatal morbidity rate caused by home deliveries cases will be reduced by the proper health service provision.
“Villagers will pay less for health care fees. People will now travel shorter distances to get health care services as opposed to the 15km to 20km they used to travel to either Nyamidzi Clinic or Mount Zuma in Mutare,” said Minister Mugadza.
Makoni South Constituency House of Assembly member, Honourable Albert Nyakuedzwa hailed Chief Chiduku and his subjects for cooperating with Government by providing locally available resources for the project.
“Our special commendation goes to the Nzvimbe community who with the encouragement of Chief Chiduku provided their invaluable labour and mobilised locally available materials such as bricks, river sand, pit sand and quarry stones for the construction of this clinic,” said Minister Mugadza.
