Falling ceiling and danger from snake
To prevent medical staff from leaving due to poor living conditions, SolidarMed has built new staff accommodation for the Chiredzana Health Centre in Zimbabwe.
Anyone who stepped into the staff accomodation of the Chiredzana Rural Health Centre in Zaka in the summer of 2024 had their senses immediately overwhelmed. The pungent smell of bat droppings fills the air, causing the ceiling panels to bow dangerously. In some areas, the ceiling has already collapsed. Sister Gwamure recounts the harrowing incident where children living in the accommodation narrowly escaped injury as they left their bed shortly before the ceiling gave way. She also mentioned of a snake seen dangling through the hole in the ceiling, attracted by the bats. The sewage systems are also now dysfunctional, forcing staff to use the hospitals latrines..
Rural centres often understaffed
Despite these dire conditions, some of the nurses, an environmental health technician and a nurse aide still reside here with their families. Others have opted to sleep in the patient wards or find housing in nearby villages, preferring a longer commute over the unsafe and cramped quarters. The poor living conditions have understandably driven many health care workers to seek better opportunities in urban centres, leaving such rural centres understaffed and often reliant on inexperienced staff.
Recognising the critical need to improve the wellbeing of the clinic’s staff, SolidarMed stepped in to construct modern staff accommodation. This new facility comprises three spacious apartments, each with two bedrooms, a lounge, and a kitchen. In addition, new staff latrines are being built to ensure hygiene and comfort, eliminating the need to share with patients.
Village population gets involved
Community involvement has been vital to this project. Local residents from surrounding villages have contributed labour which included ferrying river sand to the construction site. The community members had a sense of ownership as they had every village in the catchment area represented. This collaborative effort underscores the community’s commitment to supporting their healthcare workers. “This is our clinic and we should participate in its development because we are the beneficiaries, the nurses might leave some day, so will the funding partners but the community will benefit until eternity,” said Herdman Chamburukira.
The new accommodation will not only address the immediate housing shortage but will also provide a conducive living environment for the dedicated staff members serving the community. With improved living standards, the healthcare workers at Chiredzana RHC can focus more effectively on their crucial roles, providing quality care to the local population and ensuring better health outcomes for all.
