WITH Zimbabwe yet to have a suspected nor confirmed case, the country needs about USD5, 2million for preparedness against the 2019 Wuhan novel coronavirus.
By Kudakwashe Pembere
Coordinator of Public Health Emergencies in the Health and Child Care Ministry Dr Isaac Phiri told the interministeral meeting on the 2019 novel coronavirus that the goal for Zimbabwe’s preparedness plan for Zimbabwe is to reduce morbidity and mortality due to coronavirus in the event the virus comes.
“What we need to do is to specifically coordinate an effective multisectoral response, enhance surveillance at all levels for early detection. Also to improve case management and infection control. Increase levels of awareness and community participation in the prevention and control of the pandemic influenza. And also maintain adequate stocks and supplies,” he said.
He said they have come up with seven thematic areas needing funding. “When we talk of thematic areas, we have seven of them. One thematic area includes screening and contact tracing of travellers where we will be using thermodetectors. Our health workers need to travel to the houses, using motorbikes. They need vehicles and fuel to conduct the contact tracing on people that would have travelled. These are not cases that people travelling into the country will want to make sure they don’t develop any symptoms and the amount of resources in terms of USD is USD190 000,” Dr Phiri said.
Dr Phiri added the country has activated the rapid response team requiring training at all levels from National, province, district, and subnational levels.
“In terms of the needs its USD325 000. At the points of entry we need to make sure people are ready for the detection of coronavirus including the use of PPEs, thermodetectors and all needs that are needed there come to the tune of 479 000.
“We have documented all the activities in terms of quantities, consumables that are needed, training needed, and number of days have been quantified,” he said.
He said they are confident with the lab preparedness which is just short of reagents.
“For the laboratory readiness, we know our level is stable including tests. We know our labs are able to do the tests. This one is a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test but as we speak we don’t have the primers. NICD has been capacitated to have the primers in South Africa. In the southern region (SADC) everyone is going to South Africa sending samples or suspect samples. What is needed now is triple packaging training of laboratories so that they can be able to collect samples. The value is USD166 000,” he said.
Infection prevention and control requires, USD 147 000 while risk communication and community engagement needs USD 336 000.
“Logistics for the coronavirus including disinfectants, vehicles,PPEs, all those materials we have a sum of USD2, 2 million. Coordination at national level the updating of pandemic influenza plans, response plan, SOPs, we have a sum of close to USD1million. So the total we need is USD5, 2 million. But in the event that a case has been reported, there will be some change,” he said.
Health and Child Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said the country does not have confirmed cases of coronavirus.
“We had 506 visitors who are being followed coming from affected countries. Today,figures have gone up, it’s now 741 travellers from the affected countries coming through our points of entry. They are also being followed,” he said.
He thanked Mimosa Mining Company for coming through with thermodetectors urging other corporates to follow suit.
World Health Organisation Zimbabwe Country Representative Dr Alex Gasasira said they are working with Government in the response and preparedness against the nCoV.
UNICEF Zimbabwe Country Representative Dr Laylee Moshiri called for unnecessary panic to stop but instead raise awareness to reduce stigma against the virus.