BULAWAYO - City Councillors have resolved to lease out the multi-million dollar Mahatshula clinic, it has been learnt.The decision was adopted at a full council meeting where it was resolved that the Health Services Department would put the clinic out to tender. The clinic was built in 1999 through funding from the World Bank as part of infrastructure development in the suburb, but opening of the institution was stalled by a shortage of money, nursing staff and equipment.
The local authority has over the years failed to run the municipal health facilities due to shortages of health practitioners and lack of funds. The council had leased out the clinic to Premier Services Medical Investment (PSMI) for three years since December 2006 but the lease agreement expired in November 2008.
According to the latest council minutes, the Health Services Department had since the expiry date received enquiries from entrepreneurs who were interested in taking up the lease of the clinic. The Department had then sought authority to flight tenders to lease the clinic.
The Health, Housing and Education Committee resolved to recommend to this committee that the Director of Health Services be granted authority to call for tenders for lease of Mahatshula clinic, reads part of the minutes.
The local authority runs 19 clinics and a hospital around the city, but they are all operating with a skeletal staff and a severe shortage of medication.
Post published in: Analysis