The Sunday News
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
A CHINESE company Sinohydro Corporation last Tuesday donated $1,5 million and 15 000 face masks to the Matabeleland North Covid-19 Taskforce, a move meant to boost the completion of the 5 Miles Isolation Centre in Hwange which is undergoing refurbishment.
Hwange Covid-19 Taskforce has been working around the clock to rehabilitate the isolation centre which was initially supposed to be a district hospital but was condemned two years ago after cracks started appearing on the floors and walls. That saw work on the proposed district hospital that was earmarked as a referral and had taken over 15 years to complete grinding to a halt.
Presenting the donation to the Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs, Cde Richard Moyo at 5 Miles Isolation Centre, Sinohydro Project site manager, Mr Tang Zhao Lai said the gesture was part of the company’s social corporate responsibility in the face of the global Covid-19 pandemic that has claimed thousands of lives.
“As part of our corporate social responsibility, we responded to the request by the Hwange Covid-19 Taskforce and donated to this noble cause $1,5 million and 15 000 masks. We hope our donation will go a long way in assisting in the construction of this isolation centre,” said Mr Tang.
Meanwhile, Hwange Colliery Company which has been playing a major role in the refurbishment of the isolation centre providing labour, skills, equipment and money said it would continue with its efforts to ensure the centre was completed in order to keep the residents of the district safe.
“As Hwange Colliery Company we are honoured to be part of the fight against Covid-19. The virus has brought our lives and industry to a standstill and the situation requires that we come together as a community, province and nation to fight the spread of this deadly epidemic.
“It is with this common goal in mind that we as a company we are committed to efforts to bring on line the Hwange District Isolation Centre. We will continue to provide skilled labour and financial support towards this project and other undertakings that the district may embark on in an effort to ensure that we minimise and eventually eradicate the spread of Covid-19,” the company’s acting managing director, Dr Charles Zinyemba said.
Minister Moyo applauded efforts by companies in the province to ensure that health institutions are prepared to handle cases of Covid-19.
“For us to achieve this, we need the support of everyone including industry and commerce. When stakeholders come on board like we are seeing today, this is a sure sign that we are together in this fight. It is when we are all having both hands on the deck that we win this battle against Covid-19.
“To this end I want to commend Sinohydro and all other stakeholders which include Hwange Colliery Company, Hwange Pastors Fraternal, and many individuals who have come together in the drive to equip this isolation centre. No contribution is smaller to this cause. As Matabeleland North Province Ccovid-19 Taskforce and Government at large, we are grateful for this gesture you have shown. I continue to make a clarion call for more stakeholders to come on board and support Government in the fight against Covid-19,” said Cde Moyo.
He said as part of Government’s commitment to upscaling surveillance within communities Treasury had extended about $7,7 million to the province which will see St Luke’s and Victoria Falls Hospitals receiving $3 million each while the Provincial Medical Director’s office will get $1,7 million.
The National Aids Council has also availed $1 million for the province, the District Development Fund (DDF) availing borehole drilling machines at Isolation centres with work having been done at Siabuzuba Clinic in Binga.
The taskforce which is being chaired by Hwange Local Board town secretary, Mr Ndumiso Mdlalose said the facility also required a separate sceptic tank, an incinerator, installation of a perimeter fence as well as completion of the laboratory.
