Simbarashe Medical Centre Opens in Chibaya

In a move that bolsters President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 of leaving no one behind, prominent Johane Masowe YeChishanu sect leader Madzibaba Simbarashe Nengomasha has commissioned a new medical facility at Chirasavana in Chibaya village, bringing essential health services closer to the underserved community.

The Simbarashe Medical Centre, built by the Johane Masowe Chitungwiza Unit J Canaan Sect, stands as a testament to the Second Republic’s philosophy of “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo” (the nation is built by its people), with the church mobilising resources to address critical healthcare gaps in the area.

Addressing congregants and community members at the opening ceremony, Madzibaba Simba said the facility was born out of a personal childhood ordeal that nearly claimed his life.

“I almost died when I was pierced by a tree stump while herding cattle as a ten-year-old. My parents had to carry me on their backs to the nearest clinic 12 kilometres away. That memory has driven me to ensure no mother in this community carries a bleeding child that distance ever again,” said Madzibaba Simba.

The new facility is expected to significantly reduce distances travelled by villagers seeking medical attention while creating employment opportunities for local residents. Beyond clinical staff, the centre will generate upstream and downstream economic activity through suppliers, support services and auxiliary industries.

“This centre will employ our sons and daughters from nurses and cleaners to security personnel and administrators.

“But beyond that, we expect local suppliers to provide food, local artisans to maintain infrastructure and small businesses to thrive around the facility.

This is economic transformation starting at the grassroots,” said Madzibaba Simba.

The medical centre comes as Government continues to encourage private sector and community participation in health delivery, with President Mnangagwa previously challenging businesses and organisations to complement Government efforts in scaling up projects that improve livelihoods .

“When His Excellency speaks of Vision 2030, he speaks of an upper middle-income society where no one is left behind. This centre is our small contribution to that vision-ensuring that the most vulnerable in Chibaya have access to quality healthcare without travelling to towns,” Madzibaba Simba said.

The church leader has a 16-year history of supporting public health institutions, with annual donations to Chitungwiza General Hospital and other clinics across the municipality during the Christmas holiday period . His philanthropic work has previously earned him recognition as Outstanding Vapostori Church Leader at the Zim Community Trailblazers Awards .

“For 16 years we have walked the wards of Chitungwiza Hospital, seeing the challenges firsthand. We have donated medicines, equipment and food to patients. But we realised donations alone cannot transform health delivery – we needed permanent infrastructure,” said Madzibaba Simba.

Beyond healthcare, the sect leader has implemented various social responsibility programmes including agricultural initiatives. At his Inora Farm in Wedza, Madzibaba Simba successfully implemented the Government-initiated Pfumvudza conservation agriculture programme on seven hectares, hosting field days to encourage food security at household level .

“Our social responsibility extends beyond healing the sick to feeding the nation. Through Pfumvudza, we have shown that churches can partner with Government to ensure food security. The same hands that pray can also plough,” he added.

The Chibaya community welcomed the development, with villagers noting that the facility would address maternal health emergencies that have previously claimed lives due to distance from healthcare centres.

The centre includes a mother’s shelter, mirroring similar facilities the church leader has constructed in other areas .

Government has consistently called for public-private partnerships in health delivery, with President Mnangagwa emphasising that healthy populations live longer and contribute more to economic development, making healthcare central to achieving Vision 2030 .