The Sunday News
Bruce Ndlovu and Mkhululi Ncube, Sunday News Reporters
WHILE for some the advent of the novel coronavirus was cause for alarm because of the pressure that it would bring on the country’s health facilities, for those in Bulilima the period that has coincided with the spread of the virus has been an unlikely positive story, with diasporans dipping into their pockets to come up with an estimated R10 million to construct clinics in the area.
It was thought by some that Covid-19 would bring great pressure on health facilities. True enough, the pandemic has wrought havoc wherever its presence has been felt. Last week, international news agencies reported that Indian hospitals were scrambling for beds and oxygen as Covid-19 infections surged to a new daily record on Thursday, with a second wave of infections centred on the rich western state of Maharashtra.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that Germany’s health-care system was getting stretched to the brink, with many hospitals overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients, with the occupancy rate in intensive-care units rising to 88% on Wednesday.
Such figures make for worrying reading, and many thought the situation would be similar in parts of rural Matabeleland where some of the health institutions have been crying out for attention for a long time. Two Covid-19 waves later, with a possible third wave feared, health institutions in Bulilima are proving to be an unlikely success story and it is all due to the work of the sons of daughters of Matabeleland South who kept a bit of home in their hearts when they left the country, with the majority of them based in South Africa.
Recently, during a groundbreaking ceremony at Diba Clinic, the MP for Bulilima East who is also the Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Cde Mangaliso Ndlovu hailed people from his constituency for partnering Government in the development of infrastructure resulting in several clinics being constructed. It is estimated that diasporans have so far contributed R10m for the construction of 20 clinics in the area.
“Let us analyse the diaspora contribution in the development of our area. One clinic costs about R500 000. When we talk of 20 clinics, it means we are close to R10 million that is invested in the social infrastructure by our children based in the diaspora. This is the highest investment that can be done by locals partnering the Government,” he said.
Cde Ndlovu said Bulilima district could be the top district in the country in terms of investment by locals based in the diaspora. “I want to thank the community in the district for not looking up to foreign donors but taking the lead using local resources to develop our areas. Let us have that sense of ownership of developing our areas using our local resources,” he said.
The construction of the clinics continues a trend that has been witnessed in recent times. Only last month diasporans from Umzingwane district mobilised resources for the refurbishment of Esigodini District Hospital. It only took a few pictures of the hospital, battered by the bountiful rains that the country received during the past season, to convince diasporans to pull together resources for the refurbishment of the hospital.
In Matabeleland South and parts of Matabeleland North, houses built or renovated by those in the diaspora have acquired national fame. Mansions that seem to have been plucked from the foundations of homes in some of Bulawayo’s plush suburbs now grace vast trucks of rural land in Plumtree and Tsholotsho. A renaissance spurred by expatriates seems to be taking place in rural Matabeleland and Bulilima does not want to be left behind.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony at Diba Clinic, Bulilima Rural District Council chief executive officer, Mr John Brown Ncube said 20 clinics were under construction throughout the district using resources availed by locals both in the country and in the diaspora.
“We have 20 clinics that are at different stages of construction. As a district our priorities are health with construction of clinics and education with the construction of schools. We are addressing the issue of access so that our people do not travel far to access these crucial services,” Mr Ncube was quoted as saying by Citizen Bulletin. He said two other clinics, Bezu Clinic and Tokwana Clinic which were also built using the same method have already been commissioned.
He said eight clinics will be will commissioned this year. Malalume, Mbimba, Matshinge, Somnene, Tematema, Gambu, Gwampe, Makumbi, Nyele and Mambo clinics are some of the facilities that have undergone construction since 2020. While government stipulates that clinics must be 10km apart, council is adopting the World Health Organisation stance that says that people must not walk more than 5km to access health services.
“Between now and August we will commission four clinics, Mbimba, Malalume, Ngwana and Gampu clinics. Around December we will be commissioning Mambo, Tematema, Gwambe and Somnene clinics. The locals have set up various chapters of locals based in various areas and they raise the money which is channeled to the construction,” he said.
“While some are used to slow paced construction on such ambitious projects, chairman of the committee overseeing the construction of Diba Clinic, Mr Femani Richard Dabangana said time would be of the essence. Meanwhile Gwambe Clinic, another project funded by locals, and is now at roof level.
“It is a big project which we are undertaking and we are open to well-wishers who may want to chip in with any form of assistance. It is important that we have a health facility that caters for the health needs of the community. We will see this clinic finished so that our people do not have to travel far for health services,” Mr Dabangana said.
