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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Reporter

GOVERNMENT has said it will act on delays in the construction of Dongamuzi Clinic in Lupane West, Matabeleland North province amid concerns that there is lack of implementation by responsible authorities.

The initial structure collapsed some years back when the facility was still under Kusile Rural District Council before the Ministry of Health and Child Care offered to take over the building, an offer that a full council resolution agreed to in 2015.

Building material which included bricks, were delivered by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works immediately after the council resolution. Nothing else happened from that time until now.

 When a Chronicle news crew visited the place in Ward one on Friday, it observed that grass was now growing on top of piles of bricks.

The collapse of the initial structure saw a makeshift clinic being moved to nearby nurses’ cottages which, however, does not offer full healthcare services like antenatal care and baby deliveries.

The two cottages where clinical services are being conducted has no secure facilities such as burglar bars.

 Three nurses live in two houses which are also used as storage facilities for medicine.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Richard Moyo said he will soon be engaging the local MP Lupane West Cde Martin Khumalo, secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ms Sithandiwe Ncube as well as the District Development Coordinator (DDC), Mrs Ennety Sithole so that they apprise him on why there hasn’t been any progress towards the construction of the health facility, especially when the Second Republic’s philosophy has been development and resuscitation of projects in line with the leaving no one and no place behind as it pushes for an upper middle-income economy by 2030. 

“Government frowns when development stalls, building materials were delivered and I wonder why there is nothing happening on the ground. Development must be pushed by local leadership who must be hands-on and who are representative of the Government. I am aware that the local councillor is from the opposition party and as such we can’t rule out sabotage so that people can then blame the Government under the guise of neglect, which is obviously nonsensical. I shall be engaging with the local Member of Parliament and other provincial and district Government arms such as the secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution as well as the District Development Co-ordinator to get answers on why there hasn’t been any development. As Government we want construction to resume as early as yesterday,” said Minister Moyo.

Ministry of Health and Child Care

Villagers who spoke to Chronicle called on Government to expedite the construction of the clinic as they are now forced to seek medical services either at Jotsholo Clinic which is almost 75km away or St Luke’s Hospital some 130km away.

“Our situation is not an ideal one, we were happy when we saw bricks being delivered here but it’s been many years now. We have been trying to seek an explanation why there is no construction but no tangible answers. Right now we are forced to travel long distances to seek medical attention yet the clinic is just at our doorstep,” said village head Mr Stephen Ndlovu.

Another villager, Mrs Fatima Msimango said ever since the initial structure collapsed, their lives have never been the same especially for expecting mothers.

“A health facility is critical but as villagers here our lives are actually at risk.  We are forced to travel long distances to seek treatment for ailments that otherwise could be attended locally. The place where it is operating from is too small and can’t cope with health needs of patients. We appeal to authorities to prioritise this clinic,” said Mrs Msimango.

According to the 2022 Housing and Population results, Ward One has a population figure of 2 471. – @skhumoyo2000.