Villagers from the peri-urban community of Robert Sinyoka in Bulawayo’s Ward 17 are appealing for the establishment of a local health facility to provide essential healthcare services within their vicinity.
Residents lament that they are forced to walk long distances to clinics in Pumula, Luveve, and Khami Prison to access medical care.
In interviews with CITE, the villagers said while the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) provides a mobile clinic once a month, the service is limited and mostly caters to baby clinic needs, leaving out the majority of residents who require regular medical attention.
Secretary for the Old People’s Association (OPAS) under Island Hospice, Michael Maseko, said many of the area’s residents are elderly and struggle to walk the long distances to the nearest clinics.
“We do not have a clinic close by. Initially, we asked Island Hospice to supply medication for the elderly via the mobile clinic, but that hospice is no longer functional. When BCC comes, they mostly bring paracetamol and focus on weighing babies,” said Maseko.
He added that the elderly often suffer in silence due to lack of nearby healthcare services.
“Sometimes they fall sick but, because of the distance, they end up staying home hoping to recover on their own. Imagine when you have a sick child and no money for transport, you’re forced to walk a very long distance carrying your child,” he said.
Another villager, Maxwell Chamutala, who suffers from high blood pressure, said the long walk to the nearest clinic often worsens his condition.
“I have high blood pressure, so I go for regular check-ups. Walking from here to the clinic is a long journey, and when I get there, my BP level is usually high, which means I need more medication. That costs me more money. I wish we could have a health facility nearby to assist us, especially the elderly,” he said.
He added that the once-a-month mobile clinic is inadequate to meet the community’s needs.
“We wish it could come more often so people can get help closer to home. The other clinics are far, and not everyone can afford public transport — some of us have to walk, even when we are not feeling well.”
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) Vice Chairperson for Ward 17, Nothando Ndiweni, said the situation is dire, with villagers having to wake up before dawn to queue for medication at distant clinics.
“The issue of a clinic here is very serious. The nearest facilities are at Khami, Pumula, and Luveve, all far from where people live. Some residents who need pills have to leave as early as 5 AM to get a place in the queue,” she said.
Ndiweni added that the lack of a nearby clinic also exposes residents to safety risks and urged local businesses to assist in addressing the problem.
“It’s not safe for them to be walking around that early, and the distance is too much. We have miners operating here who are making money from our community. They’ve been educated on the importance of giving back, and building a clinic would be a meaningful way to do so,” she said.
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