STAFF REPORTER
ZAKA-Villagers in Ward 1 Chipinda communal lands in Zaka district are set to benefit from the newly constructed Chipinda Clinic which was initiated by ZRP Commissioner General Steven Mutamba.
The clinic which is located in Mutsvare Village under Headman Chipinda is set to improve access to primary healthcare services in the area with more than 1 000 households expected to benefit from the development.
Local communities contributed labour for civil works while the police boss pooled financial and material resources.
In separate interviews with The Midweek Watch, the villagers said they were travelling for nearly 15km to access healthcare services at Bvukururu Clinic while others said they found it difficult to cross flooded Chiredzi River to access health services at Rumwanda Clinic which has been their nearest clinic.
They said in some cases, patients were forced to trek to Ndanga Hospital or Shumbaimwe Clinic in Domboshava area in Bikita District.
Headman Chipinda Tafunga Baye said the development was of significant importance as most people experienced challenges in accessing healthcare services.
“This is a milestone development in our community. The development will go a long way to minimise challenges most people are encountering in accessing primary healthcare,” he said.
He said villagers contributed labour during the early stages to clear the bushes and collection of river sand.
“Most people here are from poor backgrounds, and when sickness befalls them, they are not even able to look for money to either hire a car to transport their loved ones or pay bus fare to the nearest healthcare centre.
“The good thing that everyone is appreciative of is the location of the clinic which is strategic considering that it is close to our primary school and road,” he said.
Fungai Sikirwai said women were the most affected due to lack of healthcare facilities in the area.
The clinic is expected to serve more than 5 000 villagers from Chipinda, Rumwanda and nearby communities from the nearby Bikita District
