The Sunday News
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
MATABELELAND South has received Personal Protective Clothing (PPE) comprising masks, tyvek suits and disposable gowns worth $1 million from the National Aids Council (Nac) to assist in the fight against Covid-19.
Nac provincial manager Mr Isaia Abureni handed the donation to the Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs, Cde Abednico Ncube and Matabeleland South Provincial Medical Director Dr Rudo Chikodzore on Thursday.
The donation comprised 205 N95 masks, 270 tyvek suits and 450 disposal gowns with a total value of $999 812.
Speaking during the event, Cde Ncube said the donation will go a long way in assisting the province which was experiencing an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases.
“Matabeleland South is witnessing an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases. Despite the fact that most cases diagnosed in the province are of people in transit we are concerned with transmission of the virus in the province. This donation of PPEs will go a long way towards prevention of Covid-19 among health workers who are frontline fighters against the pandemic.
“The provision of PPEs should motivate our health workers to confidently manage Covid-19 patients as they will be aware that they are protected. Nac is making this donation fully aware that HIV clients are at a higher risk of contracting the virus should transmission occur in our communities. We thank Nac for not only donating but also being an active partner in the fight against Covid-19 in this province,” he said.
Cde Ncube also urged people to continue observing measures set to prevent the spread of Covid-19. He encouraged social distancing, wearing of face masks, sanitising and washing hands and staying at home where possible.
Nac provincial manager Mr Abureni said after realising the great danger Covid-19 posed to the community, in particular people living with HIV and health workers, the organisation saw it proper to mobilise resources to assist in the fight against the pandemic.
“This donation is meant to augment Covid-19 prevention activities being undertaken by Government through its various sectors. We hope this donation will contribute towards reducing transmission of the virus in the province.
“From the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak in the country Nac has been actively participating in prevention programmes. Prior to the donation we contributed 1 000 litres of diesel to the Ministry of Health and Child Care. We also assisted with IEC materials for awareness. As Nac we pledge our continued support for programmes aimed at fighting Covid-19 in the province,” he said.
Meanwhile, 42 schools in Gwanda have received masks, sanitisers and water dispenser buckets donated by World Vision as part of efforts by the organisation to assist Government in the fight against Covid-19.
The organisation handed over 3 700 masks meant for pupils, 170 litres of hand sanitisers for teachers and 521 water dispenser buckets. They also donated 500 bars of soap.
The equipment will be distributed in 32 primary and nine high schools in Gwanda South and Gwanda North which fall under the World Vision Gwanda cluster area programme.
Speaking during the handover of the donation at the Gwanda Rural District Council offices on Tuesday World Vision Southern Region operations manager, Mr Shepherd Dlamini said they realised the urgent need to assist schools as they had opened.
“As an organisation we are donating equipment to assist schools in the fight against Covid-19 seeing that schools have opened. We have been active in assisting in the fight against Covid-19 in seven wards in Gwanda South and Gwanda North and our donation is targeting schools in these areas,” she said.
Speaking during the event Gwanda District Schools Inspector, Mr Sidney Sibanda expressed gratitude towards the organisation as the donation would go a long way. He urged other partners to assist schools in the fight against Covid-19.
@DubeMatutu
