Harare City Health Director, Dr Propser Chonzi received the Portfolio Committee as he briefed members on the preparedness of the referral infectious facility against the Covid-19 pandemic.
In his address, Dr Chonzi said that Wilkins is prepared for any Covid-19 related cases and assured the Portfolio Committee that all the cases referred had tests done above board.
He added that Wilkins working closely with South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NCID) which deals with microbiology, virology, epidemiology and surveillance cases.
“The specimen we collect from all suspected Covid-19 patients is taken to South Africa for testing. So the test results we publish are substantial,” said Dr Chonzi.
He further added that, local authorities are mandated to provide isolation facilities for infectious diseases and that of the 32 local authorities in the country, there should be one isolation facility.
“In Harare we have two such facilities, the Beatrice Infectious Hospital and Wilkins. Wilkins has been designated to handle all Covid-19 related cases,” he said.
Responding to a question from the Portfolio Committee members on the use of ARVs; Dr Chonzi said that Wilkins have not resorted to using ARVs.
“They might be doing it outside Zimbabwe since Covid-19 is also a virus but here at Wilkins, we have not engaged in the use of ARVs,” added Dr Chonzi.
The committee was shown a demonstration of the preparedness through simulation process by the staff at Wilkins
After the Wilkins visit, the Portfolio Committee visits the Robert Mugabe International Airport for an assessment on the level of preparedness against the pandemic since it is the largest entry point into the country.
