Villagers appeal for help

By Thandeka Matebesi

Villagers in Pupu, Ward 11 of Lupane are appealing for assistance to build a clinic in their Ward as the nearest health centre is at least 20 km away.

A community member who spoke to Community Podium said the community has been relying on St Pauls Hospital and Gomoza clinic which are very far and sometimes inaccessible due to flooding of Shangani river during the rainy season and the long distance respectively.

“As a community we have our local initiatives that we have started and we would appreciate more support from well-wishers. Quite a number of lives have been lost in the Shangani river as people attempted to cross the flooded river to access the nearby St. Paul’s hospital and secondary school”, he said.

He added: “In recent years the situation for secondary school pupils has been alleviated by the successful establishment of Pupu secondary in the early 2000s. Establishing the clinic will help eliminate unnecessary loss of lives as well as decongesting the St Pauls health institution”.

Kusile Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer Mr Christopher Chuma said there was need for further assistance from the government and well wishers to ensure that all Wards get health centres.

“There is serious need for a clinic in Pupu because people are walking very long distances to get health service. People are walking long distances of at least 20 km just to get to a clinic. Ideally there should be a health centre in every ward but that is not the case as funds are restrictive. Currently there are 13 health centres in all the 28 Wards. Therefore our main goal is to get funding for us to build at least one clinic per ward then we can look at the distances to see what else can be done”, said Chuma.

Chuma also said that devolution funds are being channeled towards constructing a clinic and a rural hospital in one of the wards.