10 000 Tongogara villagers to benefit from devolution funds

OVER 10 000 villagers in Tongogara, Shurugwi District, are set to benefit from the construction of a polyclinic by the Rural District Council (RDC) using devolution funds.

The polyclinic, villagers said, will be an icing on the cake as already they have four rural health service centres that are at various stages of construction in Shurugwi.

The development in health services in the district comes after the Government released over $8 million under the devolution programme.

President Mnangagwa has said devolution was adopted as a key component of the new 2013 Constitution.

Devolution ensures the preservation of national unity in Zimbabwe, prevention of all forms of disunity and secessionism and the democratic participation in Government by Zimbabweans.

So, there must be devolution of power and responsibilities to lower tiers of Government.

In an interview, Tongogara RDC chief executive Mr Piniel Chiguvari said he is confident that the construction of new health facilities in the district will improve access to health services.

He said a lot of work has been covered in improving the health delivery system in Tongogara area with a polyclinic currently under construction in the area thanks to devolution funds.

“We received over $8 million last year from the Government and we thought of putting it to improving health services through construction of clinics with the major one being the polyclinic.

“In the past we have drilled boreholes and constructed classroom blocks in different schools in all wards under Tongogara. Now we decided to focus on health service delivery and we are constructing the clinics. We hope to complete the projects mid-year,” said Mr Chiguvari.

He said with such programmes, villagers can relate to the Government spearheaded devolution programme.
Shurugwi North legislator Cde Robson Nyathi commended the Government for the devolution funds which have been used to improve the health delivery system.

He said the construction of the health centres spread across the district will ensure that villagers don’t walk several kilometres to the nearest health centre like they used to walk going to Chachacha business centre.

“We are very grateful for the positive progress or development in our district. Efficient health delivery system is vital for development and this is a welcome development which we are witnessing,” said Cde Nyathi.

He said the villagers can now talk, touch and smell devolution when they see tangible projects in and around their communities.

“The projects are coming at the right time and we would like to thank President Mnangagwa and his Government for the devolution funds. The Second Republic under President Mnangagwa has been spearheading devolution programmes and as Shurugwi District, we can now stand tall and say we are benefiting,” he said.

Meanwhile, the construction at Kwekwe General Hospital Covid-19 isolation and treatment centre is now 70 percent complete after Government availed devolution funds towards the project.

Dr Patricia Mapanda, the Kwekwe General Hospital superintendent, said there has been remarkable progress at the Covid-19 centre which will have 32 beds after the Government availed $3 million in devolution funds.

Dr Mapanda said she is happy with the ground that has been covered so far.

“The hospital received $3 million from the Central Government towards the construction of the Covid-19 isolation and treatment centre. I must say we have a dedicated team in this project. The guys are giving their best and as you can see, we are almost done with ablution facilities and the separation of compartments. We are looking forward to more funding so that we finish up the project and afford the people of Kwekwe a decent facility.

Dr Mapanda called on the corporate world to chip in and assist with furnishing the facility.

“We currently do not have furniture for this facility. We hope our usual friends will come and assist with hospital beds and other equipment needed for ICU cases. We anticipate that the Government will also release more funding for the finalisation of the project. We are also appealing for more workforce that has expertise on issues of Covid-19,” she said.

The Kwekwe General Hospital Covid-19 Centre is one of several facilities that the Government has revamped to meet the minimum requirements and cater for coronavirus patients who might need specialised treatment in the province.-chronicle.co.zw