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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Covid-19 has adversely affected hundreds of Zimbabweans based in South Africa who rely on cross border transporters commonly known as omalayitsha for collection of medication for chronic diseases.
It is understood that those in South Africa, who used to send people to collect their medication for hypertension are not able to do so under the lockdown conditions.
Though the exact figure of those affected could not be readily established ,it is believed that they could run into thousands considering the high level of labour migration between the two countries.
The Zimbabwe Community in South Africa (ZimmCommSA) said last week it had sent out messages to various stakeholders in the neighbouring country to assist their compatriots to access medication for chronic diseases.
“We have sent out word about their plight and we encourage those seeking medication, especially for chronic diseases to approach their nearest health facilities for assistance,” said the organisation’s spokesperson, Mr Bongani Mazwi Mkwananzi.
It is estimated that close to seven million people are living with HIV/Aids in the neighbouring country where the prevalence rate is between 13 percent and 20 percent.
According to Beitbridge district medical officer, Dr Lenos Samhere they were helping many returnees from South Africa to refill their medication upon arrival.
He said between April 1 and June 16 they had attended to 129 people at the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) hotel who suffer from various chronic ailments.
“During the period under review we attended to 41 patients seeking medication for hypertension, nine for diabetes mellitus and 57 for antiretroviral drugs,” said Dr Samhere.
Online Reporter