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Rumbidzayi Zinyuke Senior Reporter
Zimbabwe’s private sector has launched a Covid 19 vaccination programme which will complement the Government’s efforts towards reaching out to more than 10 million people with the vaccine and attain herd immunity by year end.
Under the business preparedness prevention and response initiative (BPPRI), business organisations pooled resources and ideas to provide a coordinated response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The business organisations involved included the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), Bankers Association of Zimbabwe (BAZ), Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe, Insurance Council of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Council for Tourism and the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce.
Speaking at the official launch of the programme, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro said the private sector had played an important role in complementing Government’s efforts to combat the pandemic from the onset.
“This initiative is welcome for a number of reasons. With Government resources limited and stretched through the demands that this pandemic has put on it, a private sector initiative to meet the cost of some of the vaccines is very welcome. The initiative also further demonstrates the patriotism of private sector organisations that have been working together with the Government to combat COVID-19 for the benefit of the nation. It demonstrates what can be achieved when we act together as a nation with unity of purpose,” he said.
The vaccines acquired under the initiative will be dispensed through Cimas clinics countrywide to reach about one million people.
Online Reporter