By Tadiwa Shunje
MASVINGO – My Age Africa has launched a mobile clinic aimed at bringing essential health
services closer to young people in Masvingo and surrounding communities, a move expected to
improve access to healthcare, tackle rising sexually transmitted infections, and address growing
mental health challenges among adolescents.
The clinic was launched on June 3, 2026, at Great Zimbabwe Hotel. Speaking during the event,
My Age Africa founder and executive director Onward Chironda said the mobile clinic was a
response to the health challenges affecting young people, including limited access to services,
increasing mental health problems and low HIV testing rates.
“Today is not just a day on the calendar, but we are witnessing a defining moment in the history
of our organization. More importantly, in the health and wellbeing of young people in Masvingo
and beyond. A clinic on wheels that will carry health and wellbeing directly to the young people
in our communities; it is not a luxury but a necessity,” said Chironda.
He said research conducted by the organization showed that 52 percent of young people did not
know their HIV status, while mental health challenges were contributing to school dropouts. He
added that in 2025 alone, 275 adolescents were admitted to Ngomahuru Psychiatric Hospital for
drug and substance abuse-related cases.
Speaking at the event, Masvingo City Council director of health and environmental services
Suzanne Madamombe said the mobile clinic would help reach key populations, particularly sex
workers, who are often unable to access services during normal clinic operating hours. She
revealed that the city was grappling with a worrying rise in STIs, mainly among sex workers.
“The challenge we have as council is the increase in STIs, which are mainly coming from sex
workers. Because of the nature of their work, they sleep during the day when our clinics are open
and become active at night when our clinics are closed. This mobile clinic will allow us to travel
at night and provide services within their areas of work, and we are looking forward to a
reduction in STIs,” she said.
The mobile clinic is fully equipped to travel long distances and operate for extended periods. It
features a consultation room with two beds for staff rest after work, an induction stove, a shower,
solar batteries for power, and a sound system to mobilise young people. The clinic also has Wi-
Fi, a scale, a fridge, beds, and air conditioning. The model was designed so that the clinic can
travel as far as possible, even for up to a month, reaching all districts in the province.
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira, whose
speech was delivered by Assistant District Development Coordinator Kenneth Madziva, said the
initiative reflected the power of innovation and partnerships in improving healthcare delivery. He
said the mobile clinic demonstrated My Age Africa’s commitment to community-centred
healthcare and showed how collaboration with development partners could transform access to
health services.
Apostle Ngonidzashe Mutume, who was representing My Age Africa board chairperson Dr
Genius Tevera, said the clinic was designed to complement, rather than replace, existing
government health services.
“This clinic is about ensuring that no young girl or anyone is left behind because of poverty or
distance. It is not intended to replace hospitals, clinics or government health programs but to
extend their reach by working together with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the City
Council and provincial and district health authorities,” he said.
My Age Africa said the mobile clinic would also improve safety for young people, particularly
girls who travel long distances to access health facilities. The organisation said some girls risk
sexual abuse while walking through isolated areas to reach clinics, adding that bringing services
closer to communities would reduce such risks while improving access to healthcare for those
living in remote areas.
