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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Chronicle Reporter

MATABELELAND South province has received four ambulances as Government scales up efforts to improve health care services across the country.

The new dispensation is undertaking a number of projects meant to improve the health care services.

In an interview, Matabeleland South Provincial Medical Director (PMD) Dr Rudo Chikodzore said the ambulances have been deployed to Beitbridge, Filabusi, Plumtree and Umzingwane districts.

She said they will greatly improve health care services in the province.

“We have always operated with limited ambulances which was greatly affecting our service delivery. We have received four ambulances from Government which is a great and positive development. These ambulances are fully equipped unlike some that we have received in the past,” she said. Dr Chikodzore said the shortage of ambulances in the province was felt during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said some lives were lost due to late response to distress calls because there were few ambulances. Dr Chikodzore said the four ambulances had come at the right time especially now that there was a measles outbreak.

Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs, Cde Abedinico Ncube expressed gratitude to Government saying the ambulances will go a long way in easing challenges faced by health institutions in the province.

He said Matabeleland South province was largely rural which meant that some people had to walk long distances to reach health facilities. 

Cde Ncube said the ambulances will help those seeking medical attention to be attended to timeously. 

“We would like to thank Government under the leadership of His Excellency President Mnangagwa for this intervention. Government under the Second Republic continues to roll out reforms that are improving the lives of communities. 

President Mnangagwa

“We see Government doing remarkable work in various sectors across the country. This shows that we have an action-oriented Government. A good reliable ambulance fleet is key in ensuring efficient referral along the health delivery levels from the lowest to the highest level,” he said.

Minister Ncube, however, said efforts to improve health services should not be left to Government alone but should be complemented by the private sector and other stakeholders. – @DubeMatutu