Health Centre opened near Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

In November 2022 a rural health clinic was officially opened in a rural community in Zimbabwe south of Bulawayo near the Botswana border. Theproject was the initiative of the RC of Borken in Germany from a need identifiedback in 2016. Local residents had to walk up to 20 kms to attend the nearest medical clinic. The opening marked the successful completion of a global grant project by RCs Borkenand Bulawayo South. The project involved three further Rotary Clubs, RC of Plumtreein Zimbabwe, the Doncaster Club in Melbourne who receiveda District Grant to assist in the cost of transporting a container of medical equipment from the DIK Warehouse in Footscray, the RotaryClub of Alresford in England in paying for the land freight component and the RC of Plumtree which is the closest Rotary Club to Gambu.

Former Doncaster Club President Niranjan Ramjee who immigrated from Bulawayo in 2001, was quoted as saying: “This is a great example of the power of Rotary with five Rotary Club’s from four different countries coming together to truly make a positive difference to others lives who are less fortunate than ourselves”.

Gambu Rural Health Clinic

Together with the local RC Bulawayo South and the local health authorities, the RC of Borken project raised$215,000 to support the training of nurses inGermany and to equip the clinic with medical equipment. The new clinic was not only qualified for general medical, outpatient treatment, but also asa centre for obstetrics and baby care, dental treatment and ENT medicine. In addition, infrastructure for the storage of medicines and for the supply ofenergy and internet via satellite could be created. A high-quality Internet connection enables, for example, telemedical support and further training of employees via Zoom from Germany.

Medicalequipment donated from DIK Warehouse

At the ceremonial handover of the clinic to the people of Gambu, thelocal chief, an employee of the health authority and spokesman for the local population, acknowledged the commitment of the initiator and the Rotary Clubs. The health minister and deputy prime minister were personally present atthe opening.

Every day, 40-50 patients are treated for minor or severe injuries, respiratory diseases or childhood illnessesor were advised, for example, onHIV medication, birth control or pregnancy. The Gambu Rural Health Centre is a successful project of the global Rotary ActionGroup for Reproductive Maternal and ChildHealth.

In December 2019, members of Doncaster Club helped select and loadmedical equipment and consumables plus secondhand children’s books and school desks into a 20’ container at the DIK (Donations in Kind) warehouse in West Footscray.

The books and desks were for a library in a community centre inBulawayo. Since 2013 the Club has been working with the RC of Bulawayo South to support the education of AIDS orphans through scholarships, books for the small community library and school materials. The community centre is where the AIDS orphans meet each week to do their homework, engage incultural and social activities and read library books in a safe environment. Doncaster Club received a District Grant to assist in the cost of transporting the container from Australia to Zimbabwe.

PastPresidentDavidGrieve