THE absence 0f health facilities in the new Ushewekunze suburb has hit women the hardest as they fail to access basic services such as Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH).
In order for one to seek medical attention at an affordable public health facility one has to board at least two buses to get to the nearest medical centers which include Rutsanana Poly Clinic in Glen Norah C and Tariro Youth Centre in Hopely Farm.
For one to be able to leave Ushewekunze to get to Glen Noarh, they have to pass through different police roadblocks where letters of exemption are needed.
Women who are mostly in need of SRH service bare facing challenges to access these services regularly since clinics are very far and this has been made worse by Covid 19 induced measures.
Restless Development, a non – profit organisation has tried to cover up the gap by conducting SRH services provision that include giving residents contraceptives (condoms, jadele, depo and family planning pills).
A huge gap still exists since the organisation is being overwhelmed as they attempt to provide services to a huge population in Ushewekunze.
“There was a time when Restless Development engaged in SRH service provision but I was not there. This forced me to buy family planning pills at the nearest shops since there are no clinics and youth friendly services,” said Tanaka Nyika a resident in the area.
Another young lady only identified as Kuziva said she failed to get treatment over an STI because she could not pass the roadblock.
“I had a sexually transmitted disease and I ended up using traditional medicine since there is no nearby clinic and the lockdown restrictions were also a challenge,” she said
SRH is a concept of human rights applied to sexuality and reproduction. These rights include the right to have any number of children of your choice, the right to use contraceptives of your choice and the right to choose child spacing options that one wants. SRHR aims to promote good reproductive health among people. This implies a state of psychical, social and mental well- being.
Complied by
Munashe Chagonda