By Virginia Njovo
The long awaited North West Medical Clinic maternity wing will soon open its doors for services with council saying much of the work has been completed.
Masvingo City Health and Environmental Services Director Suzanne Madamombe confirmed the development and said the authority was in the process of acquiring equipment for the wards as construction has been completed.
“Construction work has been completed and we are in the process of purchasing medical equipment for the labor ward, neonatal and antenatal wings. “Tendering processes have already started and we expect to commission the ward in about two months’ time,” Madamombe said.
Masvingo Mayor Councilor Alec Tabe said he was happy with the progress at the clinic as it was an important facility and said council had plans to expand all its clinics.
“We are happy with the progress at the clinic as opening of the wing will lessen the distance that women from as far as Victoria Ranch walk to access maternity health services at Mazorodze Clinic in Mucheke. Council however has plans to expand all its clinics and Runyararo Clinic is next after completion of the North West Clinic,” said Tabe.
Building of the wing which has a carrying capacity of six commenced in June 2023 and was expected to be completed in December 2023.
The maternity ward is expected to decongest Mazorodze Clinic which currently serves Mucheke and Victoria Ranch community as Runyararo Clinic in Mucheke also does not have a maternity ward.
Pregnant women from these two suburbs are exposed to walking for long distances to access maternal health services.
