News

Lupane women appeal for mobile clinics

Women from Chimwara in Lupane are appealing for mobile clinics to enable them to access primary health care.

This came out during a community meeting where the women revealed that they walk for about 9km to access health care services at Fatima clinic or Gwaai clinic which is 20km away.  

Evidence Makhetho said lack of clinics in the area has forced most pregnant women to deliver at home, a situation that is making it difficult for them to access birth records for their children.

โ€œAs women we are facing a big problem when it comes to accessing health facilities especially for pregnant women, some women now opt for home deliveries a situation that is making it difficult for them to access birth records for the children or baby cards,โ€ said Makhetho.

โ€œThe available two clinics that are there are very far, I am sure you saw the distance when coming here of one Fatima clinic, itโ€™s a very long distance which makes it difficult for women to even go there to access primary care, most people are dying at home because of failure to reach clinics.โ€

Surrounding villages which include Chimwara, Mazwa, Gundwane, Ngondo, Jabatshaba and Manganganga all do not have clinics.

She said the unavailability of public transport in the area makes it even worse for villagers to access health care.

โ€œAt times villagers wonโ€™t have any means of transport to go to Fatima Hospital. If you think of using a wheelbarrow, you just realise that an ill person wonโ€™t be able to even reach the hospital, health service is now for those with money who are able to hire transport,โ€ said Makhetho.

 She said a mobile clinic is going to assist especially pregnant women to access health care.

โ€œWe are appealing for a clinic in our area or even a mobile clinic which will be coming here so that we can get assisted. We think that is going to help us as women because we are the ones enduring a lot,โ€ said Makhetho.

Contacted for a comment, Matabeleland North Provincial Medical Director, Dr Munekayi Padingani confirmed that the province has a shortage of health facilities.

โ€œAs a province we donโ€™t have enough health facilities compared to other provinces, but we have two health facilities. Normally we are supposed to have a health facility after every 10 km but itโ€™s not the case with Matabeleland North,โ€ said Dr Padingani.

โ€œSo what we are doing, we are doing integrated outreach, so we are going to the people, taking services to the people, that is part of the strategies we are using, the nurses go to the people, if they cannot solve your problem, they advise you to go to the nearest clinic, the problem is the clinic can be 9 km or more, so the person has to try to get to the clinic.

โ€œNow currently what we do, doctors are visiting clinics four times a month to see those type of cases and if doctors canโ€™t solve that problem they can refer the patient to the district hospital.โ€

He said they are currently lobbying government for more clinics to bring health services closer to the people.

โ€œBut to solve those issues of pregnant women we have adult waiting rooms where if you are pregnant, you are almost 35-36 weeks, you have to go to the clinic and wait thereย so they can attend to you until you deliver,โ€ said Dr Padingani.

Senzeni Ncube

Senzeni Ncube is an accomplished journalist based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, with seven years of experience in hard news, investigative writing, fact-checking, and a keen focus on social development, mining, elections, and climate change. She has extensive expertise in reporting community service delivery issues, demonstrating a deep understanding of politics, human rights, gender equality, corruption, and healthcare. Additionally, she possesses proficiency in video production and editing and is dedicated to providing high-quality journalism that highlights crucial social matters and amplifies the voices of the community. Senzeni is known for her thought-provoking interviewing skills.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button