By Staff reporter
The Zimbabwe National Covid Action Trust (ZIMNCAT) has today donated to Government, a ventilator worth US$30 000 which is to be used at Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital.
The donation was in response to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call for the private sector to assist in the fight against Covid-19.
The donation was handed over to the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Obadiah Moyo by ZIMNCAT chairperson, Dr Nozipho Maraire.
Minister Moyo thanked ZIMNCAT saying the donation comes at an opportune time when the country is battling the scourge of Covid-19.
“As Government, we feel humbled by such a donation. It will go a long way in fighting Covid-19. We urge other players in the private sector to emulate this gesture from ZIMNCAT and join hands with Government in the fight against the scourge,” said Minister Moyo.
He said the country had received a consignment of medical equipment for Covid-19 donated by Chinese businessman, Jack Ma, but quickly pointed out that more was needed.
“We have received a consignment which consists of face masks, tests kits and other medical equipment but they are not enough. This personal protective equipment is used only once, hence we still need more,” said Dr Moyo.
Dr Moyo also thanked all medical personnel for working tirelessly to mitigate effects of Covid-19 and said they deserved applause and recognition.
Minister Moyo revealed that personal protective equipment and other medical supplies had already been dispatched to various hospitals to be used by the medical staff whom he described as “first line soldiers”. He further said Government had agreed to award the medical personnel with COVID 19 risk allowances.
Speaking at the same occasion, Dr Maraire said as a Trust, they would continue to mobilise resources needed for the fight against Covid-19.
Maraire further said they were going to partner with Government to establish more isolation centres which would be fully equipped with all materials needed for treatment of Covid-19.
“This ventilator we donated today is worth US$30 000 and we will continue sourcing for more. The ventilator is specifically for Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital. Our wish is to provide more ventilators but it seems everyone is scrambling for them, hence their shortage on the global market. As a Trust, we are going to partner with Government to identify and equip more isolation centres for Covid-19,” said Maraire.
Dr Maraire further explained that not all Covid-19 patients would need ventilators as some patients would be able to breathe on their own. She said one ventilator served one patient and only those with serious cases would need a ventilator.
Zimbabwe with the rest of the world is battling Covid-19 and to date three cases with one fatality have been recorded. President Mnangagwa has already put up measures to fight Covid-19 and has since set up a taskforce led by Dr Moyo, to mobilise resources for the disease.
Some private companies such as Sakunda Holdings have heeded Government’s call for assistance and have since committed themselves to refurbishing Rock Foundation and St Annes Hospital to cater for Covid-19 patients.
