adminRumbidzayi Zinyuke Manicaland Bureau
MUTARE Infectious Diseases Hospital (MIDH), one of the city’s Covid-19 isolation facilities, yesterday received 1 500 rapid diagnostic tests and an assortment of medical supplies from the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR), to boost service delivery.
The donation also included personal protective equipment (PPE) and medicines.
MIDH is still undergoing rehabilitation to meet Covid-19 requirements for an isolation centre but has a wing that is already catering for patients.
The institution has however, been facing operational challenges because of the shortage of some essential drugs and materials, especially PPEs for its staff.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, ZADHR secretary Dr Norman Matara said the donation came through a partnership with Open Society Initiative Southern Africa (OSISA), which provided money for the supplies.
“We have noticed that the issue of PPEs is a global challenge and our health workers are left exposed because they do not have the necessary equipment to protect themselves.
“We looked for partners to support us and ensure that we provide PPEs to frontline healthcare workers across the country,” he said.
ZADHR was also supporting prison, children’s and old people’s homes to ensure they were prepared to fight Covid-19.
Mutare mayor councillor Blessing Tandi applauded ZADHR for assisting health care givers at a time council was struggling to mobilise resources to buy enough PPEs.
“Our revenues have gone down significantly since the beginning of the national lockdown in March so this donation has given us a lifeline. It will go a long way in boosting the morale of our staff and improve service delivery at our institutions,” he said.
Mutare health services director Dr Anthony Mutara said council was operating 12 health centres, including the MIDH isolation facility, which made it difficult to keep up with demands for medical supplies.
“We are screening patients as they come in for various ailments and this has put a strain on our already limited resources. We have received support from Government in terms of basic PPEs and medical supplies and as a city, we have also bought protective clothing but consumption of these materials is high and they are quickly depleted and need to be replenished on a regular basis.
“The test kits will help us keep up with screening across the city. When we protect our staff, we stop the transmission from patients to staff and vice versa,” he said.
Online Reporter