adminWalter Nyamukondiwa
Kariba Bureau
CHIRUNDU Town is operating without an ambulance amid fears that emergency cases could lead to complications or deaths as people rely on well-wishers for transport.
Emergency cases are referred to Makuti clinic, which is about 60km away or Karoi District Hospital (150km) and Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital (240km) depending on the level of complications.
Others cross to nearby Mtendere Mission Hospital in Zambia. However, with the lockdown, which has seen the Chirundu Border Post being closed for non-essential travel, people have no choice but to find alternative ways of traveling long distances for medical attention.
Chirundu Local Board secretary Mr Wilson Gunhe said the situation needed to be addressed to protect the health of people in the town.
“There is no ambulance in our town and we shudder to think what would happen in the event of an emergency.
“Given the large volume of traffic accidents that are almost an everyday occurrence, there is increased need for emergency services so that people get assistance when they need it,” said Mr Gunhe.
Cross Border Health Solutions director Mr Amon Tisibele whose organisation provides health services for truck driver, commercial sex workers and the Chirundu community expressed concern at the state of affairs.
“Without ambulances it becomes very difficult to provide emergency assistance to people who need further referral to other institutions better equipped to handle complicated cases,” he said.
Chirundu is home to more than 6 000 people.
Emergencies such as accidents always occur on the 60km stretch of the Makuti-Chirundu Road owing to the steep gradient and sharp curves which drivers of haulage trucks normally fail to negotiate.
An ambulance is now stationed at Makuti Clinic following the intervention of the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe. Accident victims usually die or develop severe complications after failing to get assistance within the crucial first hour of the accident known as the “Golden Hour”.
It is hoped that the rehabilitation and upgrading of the road currently underway with assistance from the Japanese Government would help reduce the number of road accidents.
Online Reporter