By Beverly Bizeki
MWENEZI – A new clinic has been commissioned in Mwenezi North, bringing healthcare
services closer to about 25,000 residents from Mwenezi and neighbouring parts of Chivi who
previously had to travel up to 40 kilometres to access medical care.
Petronella Clinic, located in Ward 6, Chitanga communal lands, was officially opened after
years of construction delays. The facility is expected to ease the burden on villagers who
endured long journeys to Rutenga, Neshuro and Lundi for basic health services.
Mwenezi North Member of Parliament Master Makope said the clinic would serve a wide
catchment area, significantly improving access to healthcare for communities that had been
neglected for years.
“This development goes a long way in assisting people from surrounding areas who walked
long distances to access health services, as there were no clinics in the surrounding areas,”
said Makope.
He commended traditional leaders in the area for their proactive role in the construction of
the clinic, noting that Chief Chitanga and his village heads contributed labour and other
resources valued at approximately US$24,000.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to Chief Chitanga and his village heads, who were
proactive in the construction of the clinic and provided labour and other resources. Their
contribution, when calculated, had an estimated value of US$24,000. I urge residents to
emulate this in all development projects wherever possible,” said Makope.
Construction of the clinic began in 2017 but stalled due to delays in fund disbursement and
disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The facility is equipped with a solar-powered
borehole that also supplies water to two nearby schools and surrounding households. It has a
maternity wing and a modernised waste management facility.
Makope said plans were underway to establish additional health facilities in the constituency,
including Maryview Clinic in Ward 6, Chikwalakwala Clinic in Ward 4, Pambe and Murau
clinics in Ward 3, and Matande Clinic in Ward 1. He said the development of additional
clinics would further improve access to healthcare for communities that continue to travel
long distances to reach health facilities.
However, he noted that the clinic still requires adequate equipment and medical supplies to
function at full capacity.
“We are not yet sure about the adequacy of materials and equipment, which we hope will be
supplied. The clinic is fully functional from the day of commissioning, and we are expecting
to receive medical supplies,” said Makope.
