Residents of Ward 10 in Runde Rural District, Zvishavane, have welcomed a major boost to local healthcare after a businessman based in the United Kingdom invested US$500,000 to construct a solar-powered hospital in the community where he grew up.
The new facility, known as Nkatazo Hospital, was commissioned by Valley Seeds director Nkatazo Temba Chakawa. It promises to spare villagers the exhausting 10-kilometre trek they previously had to make to reach the nearest health centre.
Although construction began back in 2004, the project was only finished early this year. The hospital has now begun operations with a team of eight nurses.
Zvishavane District Medical Officer Dr Tapiwa Mubayi described the hospital as substantial in size and confirmed that it is already attending to patients.
According to Dr Mubayi, the facility is equipped with separate wards for women, men, mothers in childbirth, and children, in addition to an outpatient department. Its medical supplies are drawn from Zvishavane District Hospital, and patients receive all care at no cost.
However, staffing accommodation remains limited: Dr Mubayi noted that the facility currently has just three houses for its health workers.
Ward 10 councillor Verengai Soul Miti praised Chakawa for the venture, describing it as a huge source of relief for local families.
“We are appealing to Government to officially open the hospital so that it becomes fully functional,” said Miti.
“This hospital serves 22 villages in this and other wards. I also wish to thank the community which provided labour during the construction.
“I appeal to relevant authorities to upgrade the bad road to the hospital; it’s not good for ambulances.”
District Development Coordinator Darlington Chokera also lauded the initiative, calling it life-saving.
“We are happy with the project; mothers will give birth free of charge, and patients get medication for free here,” said Chokera.
“We have elderly people who cannot walk 10 kilometres to access health services, and this is a great relief.”
The project also drew official attention last week when Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Zhemu Soda visited the hospital and praised the effort.
Soda noted that the initiative aligns with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision of leaving no one and no place behind, and highlighted that the Government has placed healthcare delivery at the top of its priorities.
He urged the local community to embrace the hospital as their own and to look after its upkeep.
