By Zivani Dhewa
Governments of Zimbabwe and Japan today in Harare signed the exchange of notes for the procurement of hospital and medical equipment for COVID-19 response support amounting to 400 million Japanese Yen (USD3.8 million).
The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube, explained the significance of the signing ceremony.
“Through the exchange of notes we are signing today, the government of Japan will be supporting Government in equipping four (4) Central and eight (8) Provincial hospitals with state of the art medical equipment comprising of bedside intensive Care Unit (ICU) monitors, an ultrasound scope, operation and examination equipment, a portable X-ray system, bedside Coronary Care Unit (CCU) monitors, emergency ventilators, multi-channel electrocardiographs, an anaesthesia workstation, artificial resuscitators, Automated External Defibrillator (AEDs) and portable vein finders,” said the Minister.
The Minister added that, “the support from the government of Japan will assist in assuring a healthy nation that can withstand the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Highlighting Government mitigatory efforts Prof Mthuli said, “Government has come up with mitigatory interventions covering both prevention and support to productive sectors in order to save lives and livelihood, as well as support of production in order to limit deeper damage to the economy.
“To this end, direct support amounting to ZWL4.5 billion went to various Ministries /Departments as follows; capacity building of health staff (training); promotion of health and laboratory equipment including consumables; procurement of personnel Protective equipment; rehabilitation and construction of isolation units; drilling of boreholes by DDF and production of Person Protective Equipment, especially face masks and sanitizers by our local Universities,” said Prof Mthuli.
Meanwhile, the hospitals that are to receive the equipment are the following Central hospitals, Parirenyatwa, Sally Mugabe, Mpilo and United Bulawayo. As well as the following Provincial hospitals, Bindura, Chinhoyi, Gwanda, Gweru, Kadoma, Marondera, Masvingo and Mutare.
