More than 200 residents from Entumbane, Bulawayo, have launched a community-driven project to modernise their local clinic, which is owned by the Bulawayo City Council (BCC).
The initiative, funded through monthly household donations, aims to improve health services and upgrade facilities at Entumbane Clinic.
Project coordinator Nkosikhona Mlilo said residents decided to take matters into their own hands instead of waiting for government or council funding.
“We want to re-modernise the clinic. We want internet services like Starlink in the clinic and to even buy our own ambulance in the near future,” said Mlilo. “We previously donated medical equipment to the hospital, and we realised that once that equipment wears out, there will be nothing left. So, it is better we keep donating to our clinic to help the residents, because we all use the clinic.”
Mlilo said households have agreed to contribute whatever amount they can afford each month, from as little as US$1 or 10 rand to US$5, to fund essential medical equipment and improvements.
“We will buy what is needed at the clinic and deliver it ourselves,” he said. “Previously, we donated digital scales and now most of the equipment is digital. We want to make sure our clinic keeps improving. Our goal is to bring back pride in our local health centre. When people walk in, they must feel that they are entering a modern and clean facility that truly cares for them.”
He added that residents were no longer willing to “wait for years for someone from the city or government to come and help,” saying the community would rebuild the clinic “step by step.”
The project’s plans include replacing the old fence with a new parafence, installing floor tiles, and adding a maternity ward so women can deliver their babies closer to home.
“We want the clinic to operate 24 hours. If there is an accident late at night, people should be able to rush to the clinic and get help immediately. We are determined to fix our clinic ourselves,” said Mlilo.
Currently, Entumbane Clinic operates from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday, with limited weekend services.
Mlilo said the community’s unity has become a source of pride and inspiration.
“When a community works together, great things happen. This clinic serves all of us, so improving it means improving our own lives,” he said.
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