New farmers’ health services nightmare
Saturday, 14 May 2011 21:46
BY INDIANA CHIRARA
MASVINGO — Resettled farmers in Rutenga say they are living in fear of
disease outbreaks because of poor sanitation and lack of health facilities.
The villagers, who were resettled at the Makume Range during the 2000 fast
track land reform programme said they have been at the mercy of cholera,
measles and malaria outbreaks.
Other affected resettlement areas are Sovelele and Battlefields. Sabelo
Dube, a father of four said deaths from contagious but curable diseases had
become common in the resettlement area.
“I moved from Mberengwa after the government promised us better lives but
now I am regretting ever coming here,” Dube said. “We have to travel 15km
everyday to fetch water from Mucheni river and if one falls sick they will
have to travel 40km to Rutenga clinic.”
He said many people had died on their way to the clinic because of the long
distance while others would not even attempt because they would not have the
means to do so.
Another villager, Miriam Mpofu said her 10-year-old son died of cholera last
year as she tried to take him to the clinic.
“When I realised that he was sick I tried to look for a scotch cart to ferry
him to the clinic but unfortunately my neighbour who owns one was not
around,” Mpofu said.
“I had to travel on foot but we did not reach the clinic as my son had
passed away.”
The villagers said the number of women dying while giving birth was also on
the increase as most midwives in the area were poorly trained. Mpofu said
newly born babies were also dying because of lack of proper health care.
Mwenezi East MP Kudakwashe Bhasikiti said although the authorities were
aware of the conditions in resettlement areas, nothing much could be done
because of a shortage of resources.
“We are looking for funds to improve the conditions in resettlement areas,”
Bhasikiti said.
“But we are also encouraging them to be hygienic so that they will not be
affected by diseases such as cholera although it is difficult to do it
without clean water.”