Speaking to The Zimbabwean during a recent tour of the constituency that is home to about 30,000 people, villagers said the lack of health facilities was forcing them to travel long distances to seek medical attention.
“We only have one hospital in the area and there are no permanent doctors. We have seen people die because of poor service delivery,” said Mathenjwa Ndlovu, a village elder.
Most of the shops in the area are run down and poorly stocked, forcing people to travel 40km to Kwekwe, the nearest town.
Mercy Ncube, another villager, said: “Many women suffer complications at delivery and some pregnant mothers have died due to poor access to maternity services. We mostly get help from community care-givers and something must be done to help us out.”
The local Member of Parliament, Anadi Arnold Sululu of the MDC-T, reiterated the urgent need for construction of clinics and hospitals in the constituency.
“I understand people’s grievances and I have been approaching relevant authorities on the issue for a long time. The sick are resorting to community care givers, but these people are not receiving anything in return, further complicating the situation,” said Sululu.
Martha Mathe, a community care-giver, said despite not receiving incentives, they did not have a choice but to help the sick in times of need.
“We will continue working for people despite us not being paid. We only get help from our MP who at times uses his own money to help the community,” she said.
Post published in: News