By Political Reporter

In a rare move, the MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa yesterday praised Government’s efforts in fighting COVID-19 and reiterated President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call for unity of purpose in the fight against the deadly disease.

In his so-called “COVID-19 address to the nation”, Chamisa appreciated efforts by various Government stakeholders in combating the spread of the deadly COVID-19 disease.

“We appreciate the various initiatives by different stakeholders and Government. The response of the Ministry of Health (and Child Care) in particular and the Government in general, is noted and appreciated. Various initiatives have been instituted to ameliorate and improve the situation. In this regard, we salute our warriors; our nurses, our doctors, our healthcare workers, who have been standing and outstanding as a battalion of patriots as national zealots, for their courage and ingenuity throughout our country, and we remain in debt to them and to their families. We thank you, we appreciate you.

“To their families, we thank you, you have given us soldiers, and you have given us patriots and compatriots. We also want to thank our environmental health professionals who are doing contact tracing. Our port health officers, lab scientists who are running the tests, general hands who are cleaning the wards and housing the COVID-19 patients among many other healthcare workers,” said Chamisa.

Just like what President Mnangagwa said last week, Chamisa said people should set aside their political differences and fight COVID-19, as a united force.

 “Unity is key in the face of COVID-19. All of us must put aside political differences and work together in the fight against COVID-19. It’s not the time to score political points, but to work together. Those who like to trade insults and grandstanding, it’s not the time, our people are dying,” added Chamisa.

Chamisa further thanked the Government for the provision of rapid antigen tests, which are more affordable than PCR tests and are useful in detection.

He also praised the security services and the media personnel for their contributions towards the fight against COVID-19.

Last week, President Mnangagwa called for unity in the fight against COVID-19. He said the country had overcome countless adversities since independence and these had been overcome through collective determination.