Fears as clinic shuts down

Shackleton – IT has been two weeks now after Shackleton Clinic closed down due to
heavy rains which blew away the roof of the clinic’s veranda.

Residents say the only roof which was affected was that of a veranda not of the whole
building and so clearly they are baffled at the resultant closure.

This has made life difficult for people in Shackleton as they are have to go to Alaska,
which is about 12 kilometers away, for treatment.

Residents explained that it is expensive for them to go to Alaska or Chinhoyi for
treatment because most of them cannot afford US$2 for transport, to and from. They
fear the closure will contribute to more health problems in the community.

“The closure of the clinic has left us speechless and I tell you more problems are yet to
come. We were used to go and get treatment at the nearby clinic and free of charge, but
now we have to travel and pay consultation fees again. This is expensive for us
because we cannot afford it. All the money we get we use it for food. There are no
companies here where people can work and get money, so sparing money for treatment
it is like a total waste to us,” said Mahwinei Ranjisi.

“Nzvimbo ino yakazara masex workers and it’s a small community yekuti we all know
each other so its easy kuti chirwere chitenderere pano zvekuti chipatara chinotodiwa
zvakasimba. Ce-SHHAR yanga ichitibetsera chaizvo kuti tirapwe mahara nekuti tiwane
mushonga pasina muripo, zvino kubviswa kweclinic uku kuchatiurayisa. Iyezvino ma
PREP kana ma ARV chaiwo hatichina kwekumawana, uye mari yekukwira kuenda
kuzvitsvaga hatina nokuti unototi yawawana zvirinani itenge sugar vana vawane
kurarama. Chero tikarwarirwa nemwana taingouya paclinic otorapwa nekupiwa
mushonga. Ngavatidzoserewo clinic yedu,” said Virginia Mariki.

Shackleton Chairman, Cephas Kazuva, said there is need for the local clinic because
that is a disaster in waiting. “We are also prepared to join hands to ensure that the clinic
is opened.

“The clinic was closed two weeks ago but if you check the building, only the veranda
was affected but not to an extent where they have to shut it down. They took everything
in the clinic and said we have to go and get treatment in Alaska. The clinic is very
crucial here, considering that many people don’t go to work so, mari chaiyo yekuti
munhu azokwira to other places for medication or treatment zvakangooma.

“Tokumbirawo to responsible kuti please tidzosereiwo mutivhurirewo clinic yedu
kusanganisira nezvimwe zvatiri kutadza kuwana zvichinzi zvinomirira approval from
kumusoro. Todawo tiwane zvinoraramisa mhuri dzedu.

“Tanga tichikumbirawo kuti vaone kuti tingadii nenyaya yeclinic nokuti vamwe izvozvi
mushonga yavo yakapera and havana mari yekuenda ku Alaska, zvinova
zvichakonzera kuti vaite default uyekupararira kweHIV and STIs zvakanyanya, nokuti
kana macondoms ataisiwana from the clinic hakusisina zvokonzeresa kuti vanhu
vachiita bonde pasina dziviriro,” said Chairman Kazuva.