By Fanuel Chinowaita
City of Mutare has announced that two of its council-run health facilities—Dangamvura Polyclinic and City Clinic—will now be open during weekends and public holidays, a move widely seen as a response to long-standing calls by residents for improved access to healthcare.
In a public notice issued this week, the local authority said the new arrangement takes effect from 28 February 2026. The clinics will operate from 0730 hours to 1630 hours on weekends and public holidays.
The decision marks a significant shift in service delivery, as council clinics have traditionally operated only on weekdays, leaving residents—particularly those in high-density suburbs—struggling to access basic medical care outside normal working days.
Residents have welcomed the development, saying it addresses a long-standing gap in the city’s public health system.
One senior resident praised the move, saying: “This is commendable. It was difficult for us all these years.”
Health advocates argue that the weekend and public holiday opening of council clinics will help decongest Mutare Provincial Hospital and provide timely care for emergencies and chronic patients who cannot afford private facilities.
The City of Mutare said the measure is part of efforts to improve service delivery and ensure that essential health services are accessible to all residents when they are most needed.