Shot in the arm for Hwange isolation centre

Fairness Moyana in Hwange
THE 5 Miles Isolation Centre in Hwange got a shot in the arm on Friday when it received two oxymeters and 100 litres of fuel from Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) as part of efforts to equip the facility.

The development comes following a visit by the Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr John Mangwiro last month who called for the full equipping of the main Covid-19 referral centre in the area. The 10-bed isolation centre has two patients and was forced to open its doors following a surge in Covid-19 cases.

Pulse oxymetry is a test used to measure the oxygen level (saturation) of the blood.

It is an easy painless measure of how well oxygen is being sent to parts of the body furthest from the heart, such as the arms and legs.

Receiving the donation at 5 Miles on behalf of the District Medical Officer, Dr Claydence Muronzi said it would go a long way in improving the management and care of patients at the facility.

“On behalf of the DMO, I would like to thank you for the donation which is a great milestone. As you can see we are still working on improving the isolation centre in terms of equipment. This will also go a long way in helping us in monitoring our patients as the virus eats at the oxygen in the body so it’s important to monitor patients. This will also help improve patients in terms of care and management.

We have a challenge of fuel and transport it will go a long way in enabling us to work towards combating the spread of the virus,” said Dr Muronzi.

He said the fuel would go towards catering for the movement of emergency vehicles bringing patients to the centre and shuttling of food from St Mary’s Hospital where it is prepared.

Dr Muronzi bemoaned the unavailability of oxygen at the centre arguing that it was a major setback which required urgent attention as the facility was supposed to be well equipped to deal with the most serious issues.

“We have a challenge of oxygen here which is important when it comes to dealing with the Covid-19 virus. Since this disease affects the respiratory system resulting in oxygen deprivation, it’s important to ensure that we have enough oxygen to deal with such cases. We currently have one cylinder which I’m told ran out some days back.”

The facility also does not have a resident doctor and relies on medical staff from St Patrick’s Hospital.
Meanwhile, PDC conservation and community liaison manager, Mr Dominic Nyathi said they were committed to ensuring the 5 Miles facility was equipped to deal with serious cases.

“We responded to a request made by the DMO and the need to play a part in the fight against Covid-19. The gadgets were sourced by Kathy and Steve Taylor of the Askari Safaris and based in Boston, USA. The Taylors are friends of the wild dogs and lovers of wildlife and nature. Painted Dog Conservation has always been active in saving frontline workers and wildlife, and actively involved in their free education programmes in their core operating areas which fall under Chiefs Nelukoba and Nekatambe,” he said.