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than many other urban settlements in Zimbabwe.
However, over the years not much has been done to improve healthcare services in the town  — though it does boast one of the best public hospitals in the country.
In this regard, St Michael’s 24-Hour Accident and Emergency Clinic has been opened.
Located in the middle of Seke’s Unit N high-density residential area the hospital — a brainchild of Dr Patrick Chihumbiri and his wife Violet — opened its doors to the public in December of 2009.
“There is a huge demand for consistent quality health care services and this clinic has geared itself to meet the challenge.
“The clinic endeavours to give the best to those in this community and beyond,” said the University of Zimbabwe graduate general medical practitioner, Dr Chihumbiri.
He said the need for more health institutions in the town was realised during the 2008 cholera outbreak which claimed more than 4 000 people throughout the country, with Chitungwiza being the second largest epicentre.
“We think our contribution to society is beginning to be felt because at the moment the X-ray machines at the general hospital are not working and patients are coming here for the service.
“Others getting service from general practitioners are also coming here for further investigations such as ultra-sound scans and x-rays,” Dr Chihumbiri said.
Dr Chihumbiri completed his bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery degrees in 1991 before moving to United Bulawayo, Mpilo and Ingutsheni Psychiatric hospitals for internship. 
In 1995 he relocated to Chitungwiza where he has been running a private practice.
Apart from the ultra-sound scan and x-ray unit, St Michael’s hospital also has maternity services.
The maternity wing, named after their daughter Kayla, is staffed by eight trained midwives.
“We are currently assisting mothers who deliver through normal delivery.
“For those with history of caesarean section or with signs of potential complications, we refer to either Chitungwiza Hospital or South Medical because we cannot handle complications at the moment,” Dr Chihumbiri said.
The Kayla Maternity Wing also has a well-furnished waiting room for fathers who do not want to witness labour.
“We are very happy that we now have a wide range of choices for private institutions within our community.
“It has been very difficult for some of us to travel to Harare for delivery because my medical aid is not accepted by other private clinics locally,” said Mrs Yvonne Nematemba who was interviewed as she checked into the maternity wing.
Dr Chihumbiri said although they were currently accepting patients on any valid medical aid, some providers were not paying up.
“The only challenge that we have at the moment is that some providers are not paying up their bills, which draws us back in meeting our obligations to our creditors.”
Asked on the hospital’s drug supply, Mrs Chihumbiri said the majority of medicines were purchased locally and they were currently well-stocked.
“All our drugs are locally sourced and at the moment we have satisfactory stocks,” she said.
Since the hospital is located in the middle of a residential area, Mrs Chihumbiri said common ailments residents come with included malaria, diarrhoea, pneumonia and HIV related illnesses.
Mrs Chihumbiri said the pharmacy, named after their third child Mitchell, is open to those who receive treatment from the hospital as well as walk-in clients.
In case of power cuts or load shedding, the clinic has a 30-kilovolt generator on stand-by and a water reservoir to keep services going.
Mrs Chihumbiri graduated from the UZ with a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) degree in 1991.
She completed her internship at Mpilo and United Bulawayo Hospitals.