By Vumani Mthiyane
Villagers in ward 1, Gwanda north are forced to walk long distances to seek medical treatment due to lack of clinics in their area.
The five villages in the ward rely on Silikwe Clinic which is about 14 kilometres away while some have to travel to Gwanda district hospital which is 23 kilometres away.
Narrating their ordeal during a traditional leaders` forum that was organised by the ward 1 Councillor Stanford Nkala, the villagers appealed for mobile clinics.
“As ward 1 we do not have a clinic yet the right to health is a fundamental right. We are therefore appealing for mobile clinics that will sufficiently cover all five villages.
As a result, some people have lost their lives while on their way to seek medical treatment, either at Silikwe or at Gwanda hospital. Had it been that we have our own ward clinic such incidents could have not happened,” said Melissa Moyo, a village health worker.
Another VHW said the makeshift clinic in Nkazhe has one mother shelter that caters for pregnant mothers.
“The biggest challenge is on pregnant mothers who are compelled to use a single mothers shelter thereby compromising their privacy. An expecting mother must wait patiently in a privately clean environment which is not the situation here at Nkazhe and it’s surrounding villagers,” she said.
Senior village head, Thomson Maphala appealed for stakeholder involvement and government assistance.
