admin
Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter
Singapore Red Cross Society has donated 35 oxygen concentrators to Zimbabwe to upgrade public health facilities and help them cope with more Covid-19 patients.
The Red Cross Society intends to use the oxygen concentrators and oxygen tanks at the Red Cross clinic, which is already functioning at the highest level by providing critical care to patients.
An oxygen concentrator is an effective supply source in home oxygen-therapy and it is also used in clinics providing oxygen to help patients breathe when they cannot do so on their own, whether it be children with pneumonia or hypoxaemia, newborns and mothers with birth complications, or patients with severe Covid-19.
Recently, the organisation handed over five ventilators to the Government procured in partnership with Chinese Red Cross Society.
Speaking at a hand over ceremony, Zimbabwe Red Cross Society secretary-general Mr Elias Hwenga thanked the Singapore society for the support, saying it will go a long way in alleviating the burden of the pandemic.
“At the peak of Covid-19 third wave resurgence around July 2021, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies requested for the Zimbabwe Red Cross needs so they could mobilise resources, so we acknowledge the tremendous support which we received,” he said.
“We want to assure that this donation will be fully used for the benefit of the Zimbabwean population.”
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies head of Zimbabwe cluster office for Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi, Mr John Roche, said the donation was vital and much needed in the fight against Covid-19.
“We are happy to facilitate the handover of this oxygen equipment,” he said.
“In the next wave, we will be in a better position with this support in many other clinics.”
Mr Roche advised people to get vaccinated and follow the World Health Organisation guidelines such as washing or sanitising hands, social distancing and masking up to limit the spread of Covid-19.
Online Reporter