Andrew
Online Reporter
Japan has availed US$322 529 for emergency services in remote parts of Manicaland.
The money, which will be administered with the assistance of the United Nations Office for Projects Services (UNOPS), will finance the purchase of ambulances to hospitals in Chipinge and Mutasa Districts, and a PCR machine to a hospital in Nyanga.
In a statement, UNOPS said approximately 194 240 people are expected to benefit from the resultant services.
“The three districts are among the districts that were severely affected by Cyclone Idai in 2019, which damaged many health facilities and disrupted access to health services. The cyclone underlined the need for accessible health services, as many communities remain cut off from such access. In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic has put further strain on the already stretched health system,” the statement read.
Chikore Mission Hospital in Chipinge and Hauna District Hospital in Mutasa will both be provided with a fully-equipped four-wheel-drive ambulance.
“Further, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, UNOPS will facilitate the relevant training of medical personnel. Four ambulance drivers will be trained in ambulance operations, four nurses in integration of health services and two laboratory technicians in operations and maintenance of the PCR and extraction machine,” the statement further read.
This project will especially focus on ensuring women and girls have access to health facilities for vital health and support services, as disasters and emergencies have a disproportionate impact on women and girls.
Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Satoshi Tanaka said:
“Given that people affected by Cyclone Idai still remain cut off from access to emergency healthcare, I hope that the ambulances will ensure that they can receive life-saving health services, and that the PCR machine will allow improved diagnosis and treatment of viruses.
“I also expect this new equipment to make the communities more resilient to future climate shocks and virus outbreak in the future.”
Online Reporter