Published by the government of Zimbabwe
18 July 2008
Harare — GOVERNMENT will assist Ruwa Local Board to open a clinic that has not functioned since it was constructed 11 years ago because of financial constraints.
Addressing residents during a visit to Ruwa early this week, the Resident Minister and Governor for Harare Metropolitan Province, Cde David Karimanzira, said the clinic should be opened by next week.
Cde Karimanzira said the outpatient and maternity wards would open first since five nurses had already been engaged.
"A visiting doctor will also be coming here to attend to the patients and it is Government's concern to make sure that all the people countrywide get full medical service delivery," he said.
Ruwa Town Board secretary Ms Julieth Makombe said the clinic would open on Thursday next week.
The clinic that was first funded through the Public Sector Investment Programme before the board's capital development fund took over. The clinic now needs equipment, drugs and beds, among others, to be fully functional.
In May, the board received $27 trillion for purchasing drugs and equipment and it requires more than $231,2 trillion. Construction of the Ruwa Town Clinic began in 1997 but it has not been opened because of financial constraints, resulting in people seeking treatment at Chitungwiza and Marondera hospitals.
Cde Karimanzira said he would summon Zinwa officials seeking an explanation on the water situation in the town, which goes for several weeks without supplies.
"They (Zinwa officials) were supposed to have been here to explain why the area is still facing water problems," he said.
Ruwa currently requires eight mega-litres of water daily. According to a report from the board, the Ruwa treatment plant pump house was flooded when pressure variations in the pipeline and tanks, which provide an alternative supply of water, developed leakages.
Cde Karimanzira said Government was also committed to ensure that all the people get proper housing facilities under Operation Garikayi/Hlalani Kuhle.
He also urged the residents to take up peri-urban farming to complement resettled farmers in food security.
Last year, 3 500 people were given land for farming and this year more land has been set aside for the residents with fertilizer and seed being made available.
A People's Shop is expected to be opened next month in the town after Mr Stanley Madlazi, a local businessman, provided one of his buildings to the Government.
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