Companies lead Gwanda Covid-19 response

Gwanda,(New Ziana) – Two big local gold mining companies and a cement manufacturing company have taken the lead in renovating and equipping Covid-19 isolation centres as well as other health institutions in Gwanda, a senior government official has said.

Gwanda district medical superintendent, Blessing Gwarimbo said Blanket and Vumbachikwe mines and Pretoria Portland Cement were handily complementing government efforts in renovating health institutions designated for Covid-19 in Gwanda.

“As the Ministry of Health, we are very happy about the good gesture that is being undertaken by local mining companies. They have virtually taken it upon themselves to renovate our isolation centre infrastructures from bottom to up,” he said.

“Actually they are complementing government efforts because there is an allocation that was given to hospitals to procure Covid-19 prerequisite material for frontline staff while they are focusing on infrastructure and equipment.”

Gwanda hospital only has 16 beds which were not enough in the event of an outbreak of the pandemic.

“Currently, we have Gwanda hospital, Phakama Clinic, DDF training Centre, JMN poly and Guyu as our isolation centres. All these have small carrying capacities.Nonetheless, we have a bigger isolation Centre at Esikhoveni in Esigodini Mzingwane district where some of the deportees from South Africa are being quarantined,” Gwarimbo said.

The country is in its final lockdown extension week, and President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to announce what happens next.

Currently, the country has 38 confirmed Covid-19 cases, which include four deaths and 13 recoveries.

New Ziana