Villagers in Ratanyana, known as Marko village, in Ward 4, Matobo district, have come together to construct a community clinic to improve access to primary healthcare.
This initiative is particularly aimed at benefiting the elderly, children, and pregnant women.
The community is contributing US$3 or R50 monthly, with an initial donation of R500 or US$25 per household to fund the project.
Ward 4 councillor Mxolisi Ncube stated that the COVID-19 pandemic served as a wake-up call for the community to unite and organise.
“When we wanted to start the clinic project, which was initiated by the government in 2009, we faced challenges. The government had donated 200 bags of cement and laid a foundation, but progress stalled,” he said.
Cllr Ncube said the clinic project has constituents from the UK, Ireland, USA, Botswana, Namibia, Germany, and South Africa.
“To reach the nearest clinic requires a 10 km walk. For the District Hospital in Maphisa, it’s a 25 km journey, while Ntshelanyemba Missionary Hospital is about 30 km away,” Cllr Ncube explained. “We were left without any healthcare centre, which drove us to create this clinic.”
Despite political challenges, Ncube has collaborated with traditional leaders and all political party leaders within the ward.
“This project is not for political gain but for the benefit of the community,” he stated.
“We rely mostly on those based outside the country but work wise we rely on four builders who have donated their time, and we are assisted by the Engineers from Matobo rural district council because the clinic is an Institution that is going to be handed over to the government, so it has to be monitored all the time, and there are inspections every time we finish something.”
Ncube highlighted that some community members have lost jobs due to economic conditions in South Africa, affecting project timelines.
“Drought has also pushed our timelines back as people focus on providing food for their families,” he said. “If all goes well, we aim to hand over the clinic by November 30, 2025.”
He appealed for additional support from the government and well-wishers to complete the clinic.
“We need about R700,000 to R800,000 to finish construction,” he said. “We are currently working on fencing and need to build staff quarters and other facilities.”
The project chairperson, Douglas George added that they are appealing for assistance so that the construction of the clinic can be fast-tracked in order for it to benefit the intended beneficiaries.
“We have completed and roofed the two blocks and the toilet block. We are now busy with plastering. Next, we would like to fence the perimeter and construct four staff quarters. We are still being funded by the community, and are appealing for whatever assistance we can get,” said George.
Deputy chairperson Fidien Ncube stressed that this project is crucial for improving healthcare access for pregnant women. “By building this clinic, we are bringing healthcare services closer to our homesteads,” he said.
Community member Roy Ndlovu, who is based in the UK, said the clinic will assist community members who are forced to travel long distances to the nearest health centre.
“Long travel distances often delay treatment for vulnerable groups,” he explained. “Our parents walk long distances; if there was a nearby clinic, lives could be saved.”
Ndlovu mentioned that various WhatsApp groups have been established to keep community members informed and motivated.
“We organise fundraisers to raise cement and materials for the clinic,” he added. “This initiative is about people’s lives and developing Zimbabwe,” Ndlovu concluded.
