ZIMBABWE’S President Emmerson Mnangagwa has today launched the country’s Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) National Preparedness Response Plan.
By Kudakwashe Pembere
This follows his declaration of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe as a national disaster on Tuesday. Addressing local and diplomatic delegations, Mnangagwa said the COVID-19 was a threat not to be ignored given its detrimental impact on Zimbabwe’s major trading partners and the world.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called it COVID 19 disease. Although global evidence is suggesting that the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions are at highest risk, COVID 19 has been shown to affect everyone including children, young men and young women. On the 11 th of march 2020, the world health organisation director general declared COVID 19 as a global pandemic.
“The world over, governments have activated emergency mode as the number of cases, number of deaths, and the number of affected countries has increased significantly as stated by the world health organisation representive to Zimbabwe this morning. Indeed, this pandemic surpasses all that we have experienced as Zimbabwe before or globally. Around 200 000 people have tested positive for the coronavirus globally and 7000 have died due to this disease worldwide.
“Closer to home, around 30 or more African countries have reported confirmed cases of COVID 19 and in our region as mentioned by the minister of health, seven out of our 16 southern African countries have confirmed cases,” he said noting how Europe’s cases especially Italy have overtaken China’s where the disease was first reported.
Highlighting how no country is immune to the disease, Mnangagwa said they are concerned with the impact the disease could have on people living with HIV, people with malnutrition and Non communicable diseases.
“This situation is a real threat to all the citizens of our mother country. My government is very much committed to stopping COVID 19 right in its tracks following the declaration of this outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern by the world health organisation earlier this year. So my government through the ministry of health and child care has put in place and continues to enhance measures to minimise the import of COVID 19 into the country and ensure health safety for all citizens of our country,” he said.
H also said with response mechanisms initiated across the country’s health systems down to district level, they will continue on response mode until the WHO removes the Global Health Alert. Mnangagwa said the national emergency preparedness and response mechanism for surveillance and early detection of possible cases was activated and will remain activated until after the world health organisation has removed the global health alert. He added that surveillance measures have been strengthened with focus special focus on points of entry throughout Zimbabwe. With 10 000 travellers having entered and screened for the disease in Zimbabwe as of March 13, Mnangagwa said all hospitals remain on high alert.
“Work is in progress to strengthen the capacity of identified isolation centres to be able to manage severe cases throughout the country,” he said.
He called on everyone to practice good personal hygiene including washing hands frequently. “Even when you put your hands in the pocket and they come out, wash them. Covering our nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Avoiding close contact with anyone you suspect to have flue. “Finally, may I take this opportunity to congratulate the ministry of health and child care working with the other ministries and its partners for the outstanding work they have so far done in coming together with this robust national COVID 19 preparedness and response plan. Together we will overcome this global health challenge and continue to steer our beloved nation towards prosperity. Of course I should not leave out the plea by his grace that we must pray. We have the knowledge, the means and resources to fight this disease.
“If we act swiftly with purpose collectively we can limit the effects of coronavirus on our people and country. As enshrined in our constitution, our major priority is to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our fellow Zimbabweans regardless of age, gender, religion or political persuasion. I strongly believe that we can continue to act together and put our differences aside. To do the right things at the right time, right place, we will overcome COVID 19,” he said.
He alsosaid the Health Ministry is already implementing the Response and Preparedness plan.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said the plan will be guided by eight pillars. He said they have opened toll free numbers with the Ministry of ICT and Courier Services pledging to rope in companies who will man 50 toll free lines and social media handles.
