The Governor of Manica, Mozambique, Francisca Tomás, has raised concerns regarding the environmental damage caused by gold mining. She advocates for coordinated efforts to reduce health risks and plans to construct more health centers to improve medical access and the provider-to-patient ratio. The mining activities have notably impacted river systems and public health, necessitating urgent action.
The unregulated gold mining activities in Manica district, Mozambique, have generated significant environmental concerns affecting public health, agriculture, and education. Governor Francisca Tomás has expressed her alarm over the inadequate extraction methods employed by mining companies, which frequently breach environmental standards.
Governor Tomás asserts that these practices, such as altering river courses and compromising water quality, necessitate a coordinated effort to mitigate the negative impacts of mineral extraction, particularly within the Manica region. The primary concerns include mercury use in ore washing and sediment deposition that contaminate rivers and soil, posing risks to human, animal, and environmental health.
In addressing health service accessibility, Governor Tomás emphasized the importance of constructing additional health centers to enhance the doctor-to-inhabitant ratio. She stated, “Our desire is to achieve a situation of one doctor for every 8,220 inhabitants,” highlighting the plan to establish health posts in various locations and in larger settlements to further decrease travel distances for citizens seeking medical care. The initiative aims to position a doctor in each administrative post to improve healthcare access for the population.
The unregulated mining in Manica has severe implications for environmental and public health, prompting Governor Tomás to advocate for stricter measures and enhanced healthcare services. Her commitment to building more health facilities reflects a broader initiative to improve the well-being of the community, thereby seeking to establish a sustainable and safe environment amidst the ongoing extraction activities in the region.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
