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Mirriam Madiye Features Writer
In an effort to promote handwashing, a local non- governmental organization, Africare Zimbabwe, on Friday donated two tip taps in Zvimba.
The two tip– taps popularly known as chigubhu gear will be used at the community market at the growth point.
In a speech read on behalf of District Development Coordinator, Mrs Fortunate Muzulu at a belated Global Handwashing Day 2020 commemoration at Murombedzi Growth Point, Zvimba Assistant District Development Coordinator Mr Walter Hwaira said, the handwashing day comes at a time the world is trying to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Let us all be reminded that Covid -19 is a reality and the disease does not have cure. The only response, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines is to prevent the spread of the virus through proper and consistent handwashing with soap among other preventive measures such as the wearing of facemasks and social distancing,” he noted.
Mr Hwaira highlighted that the Zvimba Rural District Council in partnership with Africare and the Zimbabwean government were rolling interventions of drilling and repairing boreholes to ensure access to clean safe drinking water in schools and communities under the WASH in Schools and Covid-19 Response programmes being supported by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
He urged the community to make hand washing a habit in households, business centres, schools, clinics and public places to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Speaking at the sidelines of the event (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) WASH and Health Program Coordinator, Africare Zimbabwe, Mr Addmore Nyawasha said handwashing was one of the best ways to fight Covid-19.
“As Africare we are basically strengthening what the government has been doing and complementing its effort in responding to Covid- 19 pandemic in different ways. For example, access to safe drinking water through drilling and repairing boreholes and the idea of handwashing under running water is the centre of eradicating the pandemic,” he said.
The handwashing day 2020 ran under the theme “hand hygiene for all”, which was in context of the Covid – 19 pandemic.
During the commemorations, the community was educated on the importance of washing hands under running water and soap for 20 seconds, practicing of social distance and the importance of wearing clean face masks.
A Covid-19 survivor Mrs Grace Ziyambi, narrated her ordeal and the stigma she faced when she was ill.
She urged the community to continue observing Covid -19 regulations.
According to Africare Zimbabwe, Zvimba district tested 1585 people, 68 tested positive and all recovered. No deaths were recorded.
Each year on October 15, the world commemorates Global Handwashing Day. Africare has been providing emergency relief as well as long term assistance in the areas of agriculture, water and sanitation, environmental management and health in all the 10 provinces of the country.
Online Reporter