By Princess of Harare, HRH Princess Eugene Majuru.
London, Engalnd. (News of The South) – The epidemic of the Coronavirus that continues to wreak havoc has left the western countries in shock as they try to understand and deal with the virus. What chances do African countries have in dealing with the epidemic considering many economies are at rock bottom especially because of the ongoing drought and countries badly hit include Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe has a nationwide shortage of water, even boreholes that exist are not enough. When we look at WHO guidelines in containing Coronavirus the the most basic one is handwashing. How do people wash hands in Zimbabwe when there is no water. Besides Zimbabwe other other African countries also lack water. We look at boreholes, there aren’t enough boreholes in Zimbabwe.surely something can be put in place to ensure there are enough boreholes drilled around the country. There are many companies in Zimbabwe capable of drilling boreholes. The government can easily contract them to drill more boreholes and arrange to pay them. The so called Wilkins hospital which has been reserved for Coronavirus patients in Harare is reported not to have any water. Should be Coronavirus patients be at Wilkins we are looking at another outbreak possibly of typhoid or cholera. This the time for various departments in Zimbabwe to be preparing and ensuring things are ready as the virus gathers momentum, ministry of health, environment, roads and construction, local government and urban planning and other ministries should working flat out to come up with solutions and get work underway. To be frank the whole cabinet should be in active mode working to make things happen, it’s not time for holiday or to sleep. The Zimbabwe cabinet are in office to work for the people and provide care and solutions to an nation that has suffered for the last 20 years.
Zimbabwe has the capability of manufacturing thousands of litres of handsanitisers which should be distributed free of charge to slow down the spread of infection so the already disfunctional health system is not strained. Why not make use of a few of the unemployed to help with the task? They should however be given personal protective equipment PPE. The rest of Africa can be producing and distributing hand sanitisers right now.
In all the confusion and panic African countries are not showing any unity. We have SADC, ECOWAS, African Union (AU) what are doing or saying? Why are they not uniting in fighting Coronavirus or even discussing the challenges the continent is facing and likely to face when numbers infected or dying from the virus swell up? How come African countries show lack of urgency in preparing for what is coming? Why why why?
Zimbabwe and African countries should also be calling for volunteers to register and create a database so that when help is needed people are on standby. They would also need to prepare the PPE for the volunteers so they are protected from the virus.
Do African countries have enough crematoriums to burn the dead bodies? Or is Africa waiting to bury the bodies in mass graves? Is it taboo to cremate dead African bodies? What is the action plan with the thousands of dead bodies that we will see in Africa?
What’s the action plan to ensure the old and vulnerable get enough food and medication while the countries are in lockdown? Have African countries appealed for assistance what have they appealed for if at all? South Korea was quick to respond the Coronavirus and within three days the country was in lockdown so they haven’t been badly hit. What can African countries learn from South Korea? Any chance of appealing for assistance or they are too ashamed to ask. The crucial question remains, is Africa ready? As a continent is Africa sharing information? Of so what how, when ? Is Africa United? In this crisis we are all one family.
What provisions have been made for the homeless that’s if anyone cares.
Another WHO guideline is social distancing. How effective is this in a continent ravaged with poverty? Is it possible to self isolate when families of 10 people share one or the two rooms they have? How will self isolation work ? Or does it means staying with the I texted sharing same rooms or waiting for the worst to happen. Have these challenges been communicated to WHO and what can people do when faced with these challenges? How much is African media doing interms of communicating the urgency of avoiding the spread of I fection in communities. How much has been done in rural areas?
Does Africa not have enough scientists instead of waiting for WHO to issue instructions and guidelines which are not necessarily favourable to Africa ( lack of water for handwashing, self isolation not possible due to families sharing service rooms, does Africa have enough saniters and masks and gloves).
Surely African leaders can do much more to help, support and protect their people. That is why they were voted in power.
Zimbabweans in the DIASPORA have embarked on a fundraising campaign called Covid – 19 Zimthrive this shows a united and we’ll thinking community. To donate see link below:
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