Tshanyaugwe clinic in Gwanda South near completion

By Jonah B. Moyo

Construction of Tshanyaugwe Clinic in Ward 18, Gwanda South is nearing completion bringing relief to villagers who have for years travelled long distances to access health services at Manama Mission Hospital.

The clinic is expected to significantly improve access to primary healthcare in the area, reducing the distance of more than 20 kilometres many residents currently travel to seek medical attention.

Villagers expressed optimism that once operational, the facility will ease the burden of travelling to distant health centres, particularly for expectant mothers, the elderly and patients requiring urgent medical care. They said the clinic will help reduce delays in accessing treatment and improve overall healthcare delivery in Ward 18.

Innocent Moyo, a villager from Tshanyaugwe, said the construction of the clinic began in 2016, but progress stalled before work recently resumed.

“When construction started in 2016 we thought the clinic would be completed quickly, but unfortunately the project stopped and people continued travelling to Manama Mission Hospital for health services.

“Some residents now go to Buvuma Clinic, which is also far away. Transport is a challenge, especially during emergencies,” he said.

Moyo said the clinic would help reduce deaths linked to untreated illnesses caused by lack of access to nearby healthcare facilities.

“Some people die because they cannot afford to travel to Manama for medical check-ups. When there is no clinic nearby, people often delay seeking medical attention and may not know what illness they have. We are looking forward to this clinic closing the gap we have as the Tshanyaugwe community,” Moyo said.

Another villager, Reaboka Tlou, said pregnant women face serious challenges accessing maternal health services due to the long distances to health facilities.

“The nearest clinic is in Buvuma and Manama Mission Hospital is about 30 kilometres away. This is a major challenge for women.

“We need to go for regular check-ups but transport is expensive and many of us cannot afford to hire vehicles to get to the hospital. We are appealing to the council to ensure the clinic is completed quickly and becomes operational,” she said.

Local leaders have welcomed the development, describing the clinic as a major step toward improving healthcare access for rural communities in Gwanda South.

Gwanda Rural District Council chairperson for Ward 18, Councillor Mphathiswa Ncube, said the clinic was established to assist marginalised rural communities that often struggle to access medical services.

“In rural areas people have less access to healthcare compared to urban centres. Because of long distances and financial challenges, many villagers delay visiting health facilities until their conditions become serious,” he said.

Cllr Ncube said the presence of a nearby clinic would encourage villagers to seek medical check-ups for conditions such as blood pressure, diabetes and HIV, enabling early detection and treatment.

“When health facilities are far away, many people do not know what is happening in their bodies. This sometimes leads to sudden illness and even death,” he said.

He added that the new facility would bridge the healthcare access gap currently faced by communities in the area.

“At the moment villagers walk long distances to access health services, and many households are already struggling with food shortages. It becomes difficult for people to travel to Manama and spend days waiting for treatment. This clinic will make it easier for people to access check-ups and treatment closer to home,” he said.

Tshanyaugwe Clinic was initially funded through government Funds, but the project stalled before completion. The community, working in partnership with the Gwanda Rural District Council, has since resumed construction.

Final works currently underway include the construction of nurses’ cottages and other finishing touches before the clinic becomes operational. Once completed and equipped, the clinic is expected to serve thousands of villagers in surrounding communities who have long relied on distant health facilities.

Community Podium is the recipient of the 2025 Outstanding NGO Reporting Award. This reflects our dedication to amplifying community voices and advancing public-interest journalism.