By Staff Reporter
MASVINGO – Masvingo City Council has announced plans to establish laboratory services at the newly upgraded Runyararo Clinic in Ward 4, a move aimed at reducing the burden on referral hospitals and bringing convenience to residents who previously had to travel long distances for basic diagnostic tests.
The clinic was recently upgraded with a maternity wing, significantly reducing the burden on residents in the ward and surrounding areas who were often referred to Mazorodze Clinic or Masvingo Provincial Hospital for maternal healthcare.
Speaking to TellZim News after the commissioning of the maternity wing on July 15, Masvingo City Director of Health and Environmental Services Suzanne Madamombe said the local authority would designate Runyararo Clinic to offer laboratory services, including blood typing and transfusion, to further ease pressure on Masvingo Provincial Hospital.
“We are going to establish laboratory services here. We are going to set up services that test blood type and offer blood transfusion here. Imagine a woman has lost blood while giving birth here; she has to be transferred for a simple transfusion to the Provincial Hospital. So we want to lessen the burden on the referral hospital as well as bring convenience to our residents,” said Madamombe.
She said the council would start with Runyararo Clinic and gradually extend laboratory services to other clinics in the city.
The establishment of the maternity wing at Runyararo Clinic follows the opening of another maternity unit at the new Runyararo North West Clinic.
The local authority has indicated that it will now shift focus to Rujeko Clinic for the establishment of a maternity wing, to ensure that all clinics offer maternity services.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira, who was the guest of honour at the ceremony, said the local authority had a remarkable healthcare record, having recorded zero maternal and neonatal deaths over the past decade.
“I am also pleased to note that the City of Masvingo has maintained an outstanding record over the past decade, recording zero maternal deaths and zero neonatal deaths. This achievement reflects the City’s remarkable and unwavering commitment to excellence in healthcare delivery and is a testament to the dedication, professionalism and tireless efforts of our healthcare workers.
“I therefore commend our doctors, nurses, midwives and all health personnel whose selfless service continues to safeguard the lives of mothers and their newborns. Let us give them a well-deserved round of applause,” said Chadzamira.
He said the new unit would offer a comprehensive range of maternal healthcare services, including antenatal care, safe delivery services, and postnatal care.
The facility has a capacity of 20 beds and is designed to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care.
“I have been informed that the Runyararo Maternity Unit will provide a comprehensive range of maternal healthcare services, including antenatal care, safe delivery services and postnatal care. The facility has a capacity of 20 beds and is designed to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care, ensuring the highest standards of maternal and newborn healthcare for the benefit of both mother and child,” said Chadzamira.
The maternity wing was commissioned alongside a fleet of service delivery vehicles and earth-moving equipment, including an excavator, bulldozer, grader, roller compactor, two Toyota Hilux GD6 single-cab vehicles, and a high-capacity tractor, aimed at enhancing the city’s capacity to develop and maintain critical infrastructure.
