Chronicle Editor
Fairness Moyana recently in Dete
PAINTED Dog Conservation (PDC) has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Ministry of Health and Child Care to help in the fight against coronavirus (Covid-19) at health institutions in Matabeleland North Province.
The equipment which includes goggles, surgical gloves, dispensable gowns, sanitisers, infrared thermometers, face masks, sodium hypochlorite and BP machines were handed over to the Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs, Cde Richard Moyo on Tuesday.
Handing over the items at PDC offices in Dete the conservation’s board of trustees vice-chairperson, Chief Nelukoba Dingani said the organisation valued the work being done by frontline health workers hence the need to assist in the fight against the pandemic.
“The Painted Dog Conservation and its friendly partners in Holland are pleased to donate PPE items of latex gloves, face masks, goggles, aprons, sanitisers, thermometers, gowns, buckets with taps, theatre caps and over shoes among others. We operate in a very important tourism area, our people are easily exposed to the virus, and thus our frontline staff in the medical facilities around us need as much protection as we can afford them,” said Chief Nelukoba.
He said the PPE items would be distributed to the five clinics within the conservation’s area of operation, St Patrick’s Hospital and 5-Mile isolation centre.
“We have agreed with Dr (Clarence) Muronzi of St Patrick’s Hospital on the distribution of items to the five clinics which are Makwandara, Lupote, Dete, Mabale and Songwa.
“These are clinics that we have been working with for many years to help improve the quality of medical provision they can provide to our people and indeed we actually partnered in the construction of the clinic at Songwa in addition to providing an ambulance.”
Minister Moyo said the gesture was a welcome development as Government was scaling up the fight against Covid-19 following an extension of the national lockdown by two weeks.
“Following His Excellency, President Mnangagwa’s announcement of a two-week extension we have all been mandated to scale up the fight against Covid-19. I want to commend PDC for the donations, we are grateful for your generosity, on behalf of the people of Matabeleland North. These items will help protect our medical staff such as doctors and nurses who serve at the frontline against coronavirus.”
Speaking on behalf of the District Medical Officer, Dr Muronzi said the donation would go a long way in ensuring that there was reduced exposure to the virus.
He appealed for more support from the tourism industry to complement Government efforts.
“We appreciate this noble gesture by PDC, as frontline health workers we are grateful as this equipment will help protect our medical staff who are risking their lives and families.
“We also want to take this opportunity to encourage other stakeholders in the tourism industry to chip in.
“We have an isolation centre that has been identified at 5-Mile which requires equipping. Civil works are in progress,” he said.
PDC has been supporting various community initiatives in Dete, Simangani and Lupote wards through livelihood projects such as education, nutrition gardens, furnishing health centres and provision of medical equipment.
In addition to purchasing an ambulance for use by the five clinics PDC also played a major role in the construction of Songwa Clinic.
Online Reporter