Chronicle Editor
Vusumuzi Dube, Senior Reporter
MPILO Central Hospital in Bulawayo is setting up an isolation wing were patients suspected to have the Covid-19 pandemic will be admitted until their results are releases.
In a statement, Mpilo Central Hospital acting clinical director, Dr Xolani Ndlovu, dismissed as false information to the effect that the hospital was turning away patients who did not have Covid-19 PCR tests results.
Dr Ndlovu instead revealed that they were now setting up a for Persons Under Investigation (PUI) wing where if one was found to be positive for Covid-19 they are then transferred to the United Bulawayo Hospitals which is admitting mild to moderate cases of the pandemic.
“The only time a patient is sent directly to UBH is when that patient is already known to be Covid-19 positive on PCR. We do not use RDT for diagnosis. All other patients are taken to either Mpilo or UBH using the normal city zoning,
“Each centre will conduct PCR and if positive, will be transferred to UBH. If negative, the patient will be transferred to Mpilo. Mpilo Central Hospital is currently setting up a unit for persons under investigation (PUI) where patients suspected of Covid-19 will be admitted until the results are out,” said Dr Ndlovu.
He said it was misleading to say patients suffering from non-Covid-19 illness were finding it difficult to access healthcare.
Presenting the 27th Post-Cabinet press briefing, on Tuesday, the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Dr Sithembiso Nyoni said Government had since directed that all hospitals should admit patients without the pre-requirement for a prior Covid-19 test result and proceed to do a PCR test on admission.
Bongani Ndlovu