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Tawanda Mangoma in Chikombedzi
CHIKOMBEDZI General Hospital in Chiredzi District has gone for nearly four months without reliable water supplies and its medical superintendent says the matter needs to be addressed urgently.The government recently deployed two doctors at the hospital to address the shortage of medical personnel, but water challenges are now affecting the health institution’s operations.

Water supplies have been erratic due to the siltation of Chikombedzi Dam and the drying up of boreholes at the hospital.

Masvingo Provincial Medical Director, Dr Robert Mudyiradima confirmed that the government had deployed medical doctors at Chikombedzi General Hospital.

He added that authorities were working with the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) to address water problems at the institution.

“Chikombedzi General Hospital was established under government’s target approach system; we noted the need for a fully equipped hospital in the area which would cut the distance travelled by patients to the nearest hospital.

“So as a referral hospital there should be doctors. We had to run around for the past few months so that we would find doctors to replace the one who was there previously,” said Dr Mudyiradima.

“Finally we made it, and this time we are deploying two doctors. The first doctor has already started work at Chikombedzi and the second one is starting next week. It is our strongest belief that the area’s health service delivery would improve as the doctor-patient ratio would have improved.”

Dr Mudyiradima said plans are in place to draw water about 8 km from the hospital as the traditional water sources have dried up. “Our boreholes no longer meet the hospital’s demands.  We have since engaged Zinwa to help us either by deepening the boreholes or finding an alternative borehole site. We also have plans to draw water from Muraba Irrigation Scheme which is some 8 km away from the hospital and I believe if we have this parallel system the crisis would be resolved,” said Dr Mudyiradima.

When The Chronicle visited the hospital recently the newly deployed medical superintendent Dr Brian White said he was happy to be working there, but the area required urgent attention.

“This is a very good environment but my major worry is on water shortage. It’s very difficult to run a hospital without water especially when cases of cholera are being recorded in the district. This is an area which needs quick intervention to avoid loss of lives,” said Dr White.

Most doctors who have previously worked at Chikombedzi General Hospital have not lasted more than six months citing its remoteness and lack of essential services.