Source: UK-Based Businessman Builds US$500,000 Hospital In Zvishavane ⋆ Pindula News
Villagers in Ward 10, Runde Rural District in Zvishavane are breathing a sigh of relief after a United Kingdom-based businessman built a US$500,000 solar-powered hospital in his home area.
The facility, named Nkatazo Hospital, was built by Valley Seeds director Nkatazo Temba Chakawa and is set to ease access to healthcare for villagers who were forced to walk 10 kilometres to the nearest health centre.
Construction of the hospital started in 2004 and was completed early this year. It has since opened with eight nurses.
Zvishavane District Medical Officer Dr Tapiwa Mubayi described the hospital as big and said it is already receiving patients.
He said the hospital, which has female, male, maternity and children’s wards as well as an outpatient department, gets its medicine from Zvishavane District Hospital and all services are free to patients.
Dr Mubayi said there are currently only three houses for health workers at the facility.
Ward 10 councillor Verengai Soul Miti hailed Chakawa for the project, saying it has brought great relief to the community.
“We are appealing to Government to officially open the hospital so that it becomes fully functional,” said Miti.
“This hospital serves 22 villages in this and other wards. I also wish to thank the community which provided labour during the construction.
“I appeal to relevant authorities to upgrade the bad road to the hospital; it’s not good for ambulances.”
District Development Coordinator Darlington Chokera commended the project as life-saving.
“We are happy with the project; mothers will give birth free of charge, and patients get medication for free here,” said Chokera.
“We have elderly people who cannot walk 10 kilometres to access health services, and this is a great relief.”
Last week, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Zhemu Soda, toured the new hospital and commended the initiative.
He said the project dovetails with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind, adding that Government has prioritised healthcare delivery.
Soda called on the community to take ownership and maintain the hospital.
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