Residents of Emganwini suburb and surrounding areas are calling for the establishment of a fully-fledged, all-inclusive health facility to cater for vulnerable groups, including the elderly and people with disabilities.
The suburb has expanded significantly over the years to include Emganwini East and West, Rangemore and Mbundani, among other new residential areas. These communities fall under parts of Ward 25 and the greater portion of Ward 26.
Currently, residents seek medical services at Nkulumane and Nketa council clinics, while others travel to Mpilo Central Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals for treatment.
In 2022, residents, with the support of the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) and the Bulawayo United Residents Association (BURA), petitioned the local authority to construct a clinic. The then Member of Parliament for Emganwini constituency, Phelela Masuku, channelled Constituency Development Funds (CDF) amounting to up to ZWL$3.8 million towards the project. However, the city council indicated that approximately US$3 million was required to build a fully equipped clinic.
Residents subsequently contributed funds per household to supplement the available resources, enabling the conversion of a residential house into a makeshift clinic, which was officially opened in 2023.
Since then, the facility has been offering antenatal and baby clinic services. At the time of its opening, council officials indicated that the clinic would be expanded to provide a broader range of services.
However, residents say progress has stalled.
“When engagements on the construction of this clinic began, we wanted it to serve vulnerable groups, children, the elderly and people with disabilities,” said Janana Ngwenya, BURA chairperson for Ward 26.
“But for the past three years, only antenatal and baby clinic services have been available. We have elderly people and people with disabilities who are forced to travel long distances to neighbouring wards or into town for healthcare.”
Ngwenya said rapid population growth in Emganwini and nearby areas has increased pressure on existing facilities in Nketa and Nkulumane.
He recounted seeing an elderly woman being pushed on a wheelbarrow by her grandchild from the Island area in Emganwini to Nketa clinic for routine blood pressure and diabetes checks.
“What we are asking is for council to expand the services in line with the initial agreement,” he said. “The current space is limited. To accommodate more services, a separate structure needs to be built. We are willing to mobilise resources again, as we did before.”
Ngwenya added that the situation contravenes a government directive stipulating that residents should not travel more than five kilometres to access primary healthcare.
Ward 25 Councillor, Aleck Ndlovu, said there was an urgent need for a comprehensive clinic.
“The satellite clinic is efficient for its target group, but many more residents, particularly the elderly, require broader services,” he said.
“We appeal to the relevant authorities to urgently address this matter. Some residents have to board transport twice to access hospital services and return home, which can be costly.”