… loiter in town as they share 2 small offices
By TellZim Reporter
Masvingo District Health Executives are facing a severe operational breakdown after being abruptly displaced from their offices at Masvingo Provincial Hospital to make way for renovations. The situation has become so dire that some staff have been seen loitering in town during working hours due to a lack of adequate temporary workspace.
The hospital management ordered the move to facilitate upgrades under the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP), leaving the district health team without a functional base. Despite the critical nature of their work in coordinating health services across the district, the displaced personnel have been allocated only two cramped offices at the dilapidated Provincial Registry Building—a space wholly insufficient for their needs.
A source close to the matter revealed the acute shortage of resources: “The Ministry of Local Government has allocated only two temporary offices at the old Passport Offices, which is completely inadequate for the District Health Executive (DHE) staff. As a result, many are left with no option but to loiter in town during working hours since Monday.”
The DHE comprises at least 14 staff members, including personnel from accounts, administration, environmental health, human resources, procurement, as well as drivers, cleaners, and nursing staff. The two small rooms cannot accommodate this team, crippling their ability to carry out essential duties such as health planning, outreach, and administrative functions.
Attempts to get official comment were met with silence and deflection. Masvingo Provincial Medical Director, Dr. Amadeus Shamhu, could not be reached. Masvingo District Health Administrator Cainos Mukwati declined to comment, citing media protocols, and referred questions back to the PMD. District Medical Officer Enifa Njinga also redirected inquiries, highlighting the apparent disarray in communication and accountability.
This crisis underscores broader systemic issues within government infrastructure management. The Provincial Registry Offices—now a temporary refuge for health staff—were recently in the news for operating in darkness due to the government’s failure to purchase prepaid electricity. The building also suffers from a severe lack of ablution facilities, with reports indicating that both male and female staff are forced to share a single toilet.
The situation raises serious concerns about the planning and execution of the renovation process. No clear timeline has been provided for the completion of the hospital upgrades or for the return of the DHE to a suitable working environment. The disruption not only affects the morale and productivity of health executives but also threatens the efficiency of public health services across Masvingo District.
As the health officials wait for a solution, the incident highlights the urgent need for better contingency planning and inter-ministerial coordination to avoid such breakdowns in essential services.
