By Meditation Mposi
The completion and commissioning of Harava Clinic waiting mother’s shelter has brought cheer and relief to expecting mothers and the community at large who were travelling long distances to Musiso or Ndanga Hospitals for maternity services.
Speaking to TellZim News, Zaka North MP Ophias Murambiwa said before the construction of the shelter, the situation was so dire and when he heard people’s cries he then appealed for assistance from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Lotteries and Gaming Board (A body which is responsible for licensing and regulating all gambling activities) chipped in with funds for construction of the facility.
“I wrote an application letter to the Ministry of Home affairs and they made it possible for us to get funding from Lotteries and Gaming Board.
“Construction of the shelter started in December 2019 and it was completed in 2024,” said Murambiwa.
He said the shelter had 24 beds and two delivery beds which mean 24 waiting mothers could be accommodated at a time.
“The shelter accommodates twenty four expecting mothers and has two delivery beds. There is also a walk way which protects expecting mothers from rain and sun on their way to the main clinic. This waiting shelter is a blessing to our community and we are proud of it,” said Murambiwa.
Ward 22 Councilor Stephen Paradza whose ward the clinic is located said women would walk long distances to Ndanga District Hospital and St Anthony’s and that resulted in some giving birth on their way to the hospital.
“Prior to construction of the waiting shelter, expecting mothers travelled from far places to hospitals including Ndanga and St Anthony’s which resulted in women giving birth on the way which often caused death and other maternal complications.
“The facility serves women from ward 17, 22, 33 and part of ward 16 which is important as the wards are nearer to the clinic ensuring accessibility of maternal services to the mothers,” said Paradza.
Local village head (Chivasa) Alex Poterayi said the facility was important for the community as it helped in reducing deaths at birth as other women would not afford ambulances in cases of emergencies.
“The community is happy about this accomplished project. It is helping in reducing maternal complications related deaths among expecting mothers. We used to have emergencies where people would fail to get transport to referral hospitals like Ndanga and Musiso,” said Poterayi.
The shelter was commissioned by the deputy minister of home affairs and cultural heritage Chipo Sanyatwe on June 20.
