By Lynnette Mudehwe – Activist and founding Coordinator of Zimbabwe Activists Alliance (ZAA)
Our Zimbabwe government must be reminded of seriousness as humanity is threatened by Covid-19. It is not a secret that Zimbabwe has no Public health system and our leaders have spent millions of taxpayers funds seeking medical treatment for their private illness that are of no National interest or consequence.
Lockdown measures to Suppress the spread of Covid-19 from place to place and between households are plausible but, what happens when one tests Positive to Covid-19? How possible and effective is Self lsolation (Sl)? Can the Minister of Health come to our ghettos and demonstrate how SI can be practised at a two bedroomed house with 10 occupants. The current SI is effective for the rich and not applicable to us the poor who don’t even have running water to wash hands.
High levels of hygiene, use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and space are needed for proper SI. A family in Ruwa with half its members having tested positive to Covid19 was recently assisted by the First ladies Angel of Hope foundation with mobile toilets. Patient 12 & 13 recently tested positive were sent home to SI. Who between trained health workers and ordinary family members is in a better position to take care of Covid patients? Where is infection better controlled at home or medical facilities? SI is a death sentence for the poor patients, poor families and poor communities.. Firai mughetto menyu imomo…
Being children of a no lesser god and entitled to public healthcare whilst aware that SI will not work for us in High Density Residential areas we immediately demand setting up of lsolation Centres (IC) in our locations. Patients who test positive and their entire households and people they had contact with must be quarantined and well taken care of at lsolation Centres.
We have alot of infrastructure that can be temporarily used as lCs. Schools would serve the purpose best. We are making these suggestions to shoot the usual lack of resource mantra that our leaders always chant. Our local welders must be busy making hospital bed frames and mattresses. Health workers must be trained and assigned to the lCs and other resources put in place.
These lCs must act as local information hubs as well. Before the end of the lockdown critical information on every household must be collated. We demand lCs now!!
Lynnette Mudehwe is an Activist and founding Coordinator of Zimbabwe Activists Alliance (ZAA). Can be contacted on -: zaageneration@gmail.com calls/text -: +263773011262*
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