The Sunday News
Nkosilathi Sibanda, Business Correspondent
BUSINESSES within the hygiene and pharmaceutical industries have been advised to use the Covid-19 period as springboard to invest in high tech machines.
Amid the COVID-19 period, new technologies driven businesses and products have sprung up globally. The local industry has also witnessed a rise in entrepreneurial activity in medicine, disinfectants, pest control and fumigation.
There is a shared view amongst businesses that only high tech machinery and related technologies should be used in disinfecting office premises, churches and schools. Elsewhere, firms have developed automated technologies for contactless delivery, spraying disinfectants and performing basic diagnostic functions, in order to minimise the risk of cross-infection of the virus.
It was view of experts that such tools must be applied in the country, in particular as schools are opening up.
In an interview, an expert in Covid-19 disinfection procedure Mr Prospa Mbwera of Hydro Greens, said only the use of appropriate and approved high tech equipment has to be sanctioned for use.
“As proven experts in disinfection services we are calling to the public to understand that if we are to win the fight against Covid-19, we have to properly disinfect. That means using high tech machines,” said Mr Mbwera.
Hydro Greens is one of the many company startups that sprung up with the emergence of the Coronavirus plague after seeing the increased need of hygiene related services in the country.
“It is recommended that businesses, schools, churches and other premises switch over to using high technology equipment such as thermal fogging machines. The ultimate motivation is to save lives. We have done disinfection using this technology in schools and businesses both small and big,” he said.
With Government resources already overstretched in quelling the spread of the novel virus, private corporates and the small and medium enterprises are called upon to help in reaching out to far lying areas countrywide.
“By now, as we gradually accept that we can live with virus, disinfection services have to also reach out to areas far from town. In that way we are spreading business and opening opportunities.”
He said while the industry harnesses the uses of high tech machines, they remain committed to guard against profiteering.
“This is not the time to profiteer. As a seasoned entrepreneur in the health and hygiene sector, I urge our people not to be ignorant.”
Mr Mbwera bemoaned the influx of ‘fake’ Covid-19 prevention equipment in the market, saying companies that manufacture these must not be allowed to operate.
“As we urge one another as businesses in the health sector, let us also guard against unscrupulous companies and individuals.
“As it is our people are swindled and made to use sub-standard sanitisers, gloves and masks. The recommended sanitisers must contain 70 percent alcohol, but I doubt we have that on the streets and in some public places.”
The entrepreneur added that partnerships between business and Government would bring about regulation and control in the sale of health and hygiene products.
“If we join hands, we will be able to bring down opportunists. Let us put price controls on necessities like sanitisers to avoid profiteering. As businesses it is incumbent on us to be at the forefront of saving lives.
“If we invest in reaching out to communities even after the world has won the fight against the virus, I am sure we are going to see a change in how businesses interact with communities in times of health emergencies. Profit must not come first before public health.
