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Plumtree Correspondent
VILLAGERS in Maninji area in Mangwe have embarked on a $160,000 clinic construction project aimed at enhancing access to health care service.The project has been in limbo for the past three years and the community is appealing for assistance in completing the 17 room structure, which is at roof level.

Area councillor Edward Ngwenya said patients from his ward were forced to walk  25km to the nearest clinic in Mayobodo.

He said some were forced to fork out between $30 to $40 to get to Brunaperg Hospital, which is about 32km away.

“The ward has three villages and the worst affected is Ngulubeni which is the furthest. The closest health facility to them is Mayobodo Clinic but getting there is difficult because of transport challenges,” said Ngwenya.

“As a result they have to rely on Brunaperg Hospital and to get there patients have to hire cars for as much as $40. Other patients rely on bicycles or scotch carts while some of them walk.”

He said they expected to complete the clinic in December and bring relief to the community.

Project organiser, Luka Mpofu, said the project started in May 2011 and villagers had been making contributions in buying building material.

“In each phase the community has been making monetary contributions towards procurement of building material. When we reached the roofing level, World Vision assisted with roofing material for the western wing while community members made contributions towards material for the eastern wing,” he said.

Mpofu said the community was now struggling to raise money for constructing staff cottages and purchasing the remaining building material.

Mangwe Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer, Nketha Mangoye Dlamini, said three other clinics were being constructed in the district namely Macingwane, Izimnyama and Avoka.