ZPCS receives PPE worth $4m

Ivan Zhakata

Herald Correspondent

The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) yesterday received Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth $4 million from National Aids Council (NAC) to help it fight the spread of Covid-19.

The equipment received consists of 1 500 polymerise chain reaction (PCR) flocculated swabs with media, 1 000 boxes of latex examination gloves, 500 disposable gowns, 1 000 protective goggles, 2 000 N95 masks, 200 hard brooms, 200 soft brooms, 1 000 face shields, 2 000 litres of liquid soap, 6 000 biohazard bags and 20 000 three ply surgical face masks. Speaking at the handover ceremony at Chikurubi Staff Hospital, NAC chief executive Dr Bernard Madzima said they were happy that Government had taken bold steps to confront the Covid-19 pandemic through lockdowns, mandatory wearing of masks, sanitising, screening of people, closing of borders and establishment of isolation centres across the country.

Dr Madzima said the PPE will be used within the clinics as inmates and officers interact to provide and receive health services.

Speaking on behalf of the ZPCS acting Commissioner General Retired Lieutenant Colonel Moses Chihobvu, Deputy Commissioner Dr Alford Dube thanked NAC for its unwavering support to the institution.

“Today’s donation of PPE resonates an illustrious relationship that NAC and ZPCS enjoy, which is not only limited to fighting Covid-19, but also includes many other interventions, particularly regarding HIV and AIDS in our prison institutions,” he said.

Dr Dube said they appreciated the assistance they have been getting from NAC in the fight against the spread of Covid-19.