The isolation facility at Silveira Mission Hospital can accommodate only three patients at a time |
TellZim Reporter
Less than 24 hours after being
criticised for its miserably insufficient Covid-19 isolation holding capacity, Bikita
district has increased the number of facilities from one to three, and the
holding capacity from three to 14.
criticised for its miserably insufficient Covid-19 isolation holding capacity, Bikita
district has increased the number of facilities from one to three, and the
holding capacity from three to 14.
The Covid-19 Masvingo Provincial
Taskforce was in Bikita yesterday where serious misgivings were raised against
the district’s very small isolation centre which can accommodate a mere three
patients at a time.
Taskforce was in Bikita yesterday where serious misgivings were raised against
the district’s very small isolation centre which can accommodate a mere three
patients at a time.
Bikita Rural District Council (RDC ) CEO
Peter Chibhi today told TellZim that authorities had now identified a new
facility at Mashoko Mission Hospital and yet another one at Bikita Rural
District Hospital both of which could cumulatively take 11 more patients.
Peter Chibhi today told TellZim that authorities had now identified a new
facility at Mashoko Mission Hospital and yet another one at Bikita Rural
District Hospital both of which could cumulatively take 11 more patients.
“We have realised that we are in
a precarious situation and have therefore, found two more isolation centres. We
are putting everything in place and we hope we will be able to create more
space,” said Chibhi.
a precarious situation and have therefore, found two more isolation centres. We
are putting everything in place and we hope we will be able to create more
space,” said Chibhi.
The taskforce, which is on a
whirlwind tour of the province to assess compliance with the national lockdown
and preparedness to deal with Covid-19 positive cases, is chaired by the
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira.
whirlwind tour of the province to assess compliance with the national lockdown
and preparedness to deal with Covid-19 positive cases, is chaired by the
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira.
In the wake of the visit, TellZim
reported how Bikita district fared worse than everyone else in terms of both compliance
and preparedness, with many people and shops at Nyika growth point and along
the main road doing business the usual way.
reported how Bikita district fared worse than everyone else in terms of both compliance
and preparedness, with many people and shops at Nyika growth point and along
the main road doing business the usual way.
District health authorities
converted a mortuary chapel at Silveira Mission Hospital into an isolation centre,
but it lacks such basics as oxygen concentrators, and, worse still, can only
accommodate three patients.
converted a mortuary chapel at Silveira Mission Hospital into an isolation centre,
but it lacks such basics as oxygen concentrators, and, worse still, can only
accommodate three patients.
Senator Anna Rungani had also
complained that lax enforcement was encouraging villagers to violate lockdown
regulations at will.
complained that lax enforcement was encouraging villagers to violate lockdown
regulations at will.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Officer
Commanding Masvingo Province (PROPOL) Ass Com Taoneyi Nyazema promised to beef
up policing staff in the district.
Commanding Masvingo Province (PROPOL) Ass Com Taoneyi Nyazema promised to beef
up policing staff in the district.