CHINESE private companies in Zimbabwe have earmarked USD500 000 for the refurbishment of Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital, HealthTimes has learnt.
By Kudakwashe Pembere
Wilkins is designated Isolation facility for handling of coronavirus disease in Harare.
Speaking to this publication on the sidelines of the Launch of the Wilkins Hospital Refurbishment Project at the Chinese Embassy, Jin An Corporation Pvt Limited Managing Director Mr David Zhou said they want to complete the renovations as fast as they can before the virus comes into the country.
In our budget it’s about half a million United States Dollars. But we think there might be changes because we might want to do more for the hospital. For now, time is of most importance we think before the virus comes in we would have finished. We have an assignment we need to finish quickly. If we still have time we can do more,” he said.
He said they intend to finish the renovations in 10 days.
“In our plan we are finishing in ten days at Wilkins Hospital. We have some patients that are coming in and even after having confirmed cases we will come again. The wowrk may be stalled for two days but as our plan we will be finished upgrading and renewing it in 10 days. Right now we have our guys, three teams that are working there. One team is working on water system, the other for construction and the last one on electric lines and renewing the lights. Our guys are working 24 hours a day. We are quite sure in ten days we are finishing it,” he said.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo expressed gratitude to the refurbishment of the hospital asking for a replication of this gesture to other hospitals.
Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe, Guo Shaochun said this gesture is evidence to China’s continued support to Zimbabwe.