In the next three years, Hwange Rural District Council (RDC) plans to have clinics in each of its 19 wards in an effort to make health care accessible to all.
The Hwange Rural District local authority was allocated $140 million devolution funding by Government and has so far received $6 million. The District is currently constructing three to clinics adding to the nine that are already operating.
“We are doing quite a number of projects, we are building a clinic in Gatshetshede ward called Leona Clinic and hope by the end of this month or at the end of August we would be able to commission that clinic,” said Hwange RDC chief executive officer Mr Phindile Ncube in an interview.
Ncube further explained that the local authority is determined to improve service delivery as envisaged by National Development Strategy (NDS) 1.
“We are also building a clinic in Mashala which is at roof level and another one in Nekavatami ward which is at slab level,” said Mr Ncube.
Through NDS1, the thrust is not to allow communities to walk long distances to access services. Each ward will have a clinic to cater for people. So far, the District has 20 wards and one of the wards is within the National Park.
According to Mr Ncube, Hwange District is also working on improving access to education and a school under construction should be commissioned next month. Under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme, the council will soon start work on road rehabilitation.