Farmhouse turned into clinic

In a significant move aimed at improving rural healthcare delivery, the government has officially approved the conversion of a former luxury farmhouse at Hilton Farm in Murehwa South into a fully functional clinic, easing decades-long challenges faced by resettled communities in the area.

The farmhouse, located on hilly terrain near the Barrymore and Virginia area, had remained unoccupied for years before the Murehwa Rural District Council proposed its repurposing. Hilton Farm, which was subdivided into 53 plots during Zimbabwe's land reform programme in the early 2000s, is home to thousands of resettled farmers who have struggled for years without access to nearby healthcare facilities.

Currently, residents from Hilton and surrounding villages must travel over 20 kilometres to access the nearest clinics in Virginia or Waterloo - a costly and often dangerous journey, especially for pregnant women, children, and the elderly.

A letter dated March 21, 2024, signed by Murehwa Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer Alois Gurajena, confirmed the local authority's formal request to the Lands Ministry to change the use of the building from residential to public healthcare infrastructure.

Speaking during the official launch of the Zunde RaMambo programme at Hilton Farm last week, a representative from the Murehwa District Development Coordinator's (DDC) office confirmed that the government had granted the necessary approvals.

"We engaged the Lands Ministry over the change of use of the farmhouse, and I can tell you that the government has agreed that this building be turned into a clinic. We are now moving to fulfil that," said the DDC official to an enthusiastic crowd.

Zanu PF Murehwa District Coordinating Committee Chairperson Israel Maliki praised the initiative, calling it a "much-needed intervention" that would bring healthcare services closer to rural communities.

"We are happy with this move. The government has approved turning this farmhouse into a clinic, and we accept and welcome that," said Maliki.

The new clinic is expected to benefit a wide catchment area, including villages and farming communities such as Chilinda, Glenwaves, Pagomba, Langjam Konine, Dontlestone, Kasipiti, and River Baller, among others.

Residents have also expressed relief and gratitude, with many saying the long distances they have endured to access medical care had led to unnecessary suffering and avoidable deaths.

Construction work and refurbishment are expected to begin soon, with the local council set to provide updates on staffing, equipment, and official commissioning.

The initiative reflects the government's broader push to decentralise healthcare services, particularly in rural and resettled farming areas where infrastructure has long lagged behind population needs.