THE search and long distance walk to get health services is now a thing of the past
for Mafela villagers, in Matobo District, following the commissioning of Mlugulu Clinic,
last week.
The once marginalised community used to walk for more than 20km in search of a
health facility.
However, this is now history following the disbursement of devolution funds,
Constituency Development Funds (CDF) and funds from Diaspora which have seen
their dream of a health facility coming to fruition.
Matabeleland South Acting Medical Director, Dr Andrew Muza, reaffirmed that the
Ministry of Health and Child Care is walking the talk in the assurance of improved
health services.
The Ministry is ensuring that there is much community participation in terms of
heath provision, in both rural and urban areas. It is in line with the Ministry’s mandate
to ensure that hospitals and clinics offer quality service to patrons across the
province and the country, Dr Muza said.
The Government is on a massive drive to ensure that communities access health
facilities easily and efficiently.
Under Bulilima Rural District Council (RDC) four clinics have since been completed,
while Matobo and Mangwe have completed two separately. In Insiza RDC, a poly-
clinic is underway. While in Gwanda RDC, Silikwe, Mashaba, Ntalale and
Tshanyaugwe clinic will also ease distance for villagers.
Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Evelyn
Ndlovu affirmed that the Government is committed to uplifting health standard of the
citizenry.
Matobo RDC has fully utilised devolution funds, for the betterment of citizenry in
terms of health facilities. This is also paramount in the National Development
Strategy as the country journeys for the attainment of an upper middle income
society by 2030, Dr Ndlovu said.
The disbursement of devolution funds has witnessed the construction of 12 health
facilities across Matabeleland South Province.
Villagers have welcomed the development and lamented the burden they used to
face prior to the completion of the clinic.
We used to brave 22km from here to our next clinic, which is Marula. Women used
to give birth along the way because of the distance. Matobo is surrounded by hills
that attract dangerous reptiles like snakes, scorpions among others, without a health
facilities in our vicinity was truly a problem.
We are truly thankful and happy that we have an efficient health facility on our
doorstep, said Gogo Khuphe.
