Government has taken a shocking move by abandoning the
capital infectious diseases hospital, Wilkins even in the wake of this raging
pandemic.
Besides this pandemic being declared a national disaster,
as of 1400hrs Wednesday 25 March 2020, the central government was yet to
deposit the promised RTGS 100 000 into Harare City treasury account, that
translates to 2500 USD using the market rate of 40. This has derailed all the
efforts to upgrade and to acquire needed materials including PPE's and
sanitizers.
Gloves are being supplied by Harare City Council from its
coffers. The central government has not extended its hand at Wilkins public
Hospital.
What is more shocking is that the central government has
abandoned the 100-bed Wilkins public hospital opting for an elite 36-bed Rock
Medical Foundation, a private hospital situated in Mt Pleasant at number 92
Norfolk road Harare that is catering for the elite and the well-heeled.
The only support the City got was from the Chinese embassy
in the form of direct refurbishment and upgrading of Wilkins Hospital. The
refurbishment and upgrading will raise the beds to a total of 200 beds. The
City Health department has put a contingency plan to have outside tents that
can accommodate up to 500 Covid-19 patients.
MDC Local Government Committee
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