CROOKED traders are bilking consumers by selling fake hand
sanitisers, raising fears cheated members of the public might be exposed to the
coronavirus.
The global outbreak of Covid-19 has led to an exponential
rise in demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) like hand sanitisers,
face masks and surgical gloves.
Established PPE dealers are fast running out of stock and
finding it increasingly difficult to replenish. Naturally, prices have been
adjusted upwards. Pharmacies in the capital are selling a 125ml bottle of hand
sanitiser for US$3 (or the equivalent in local currency).
Before the crisis, the same product used to sell for less
than US$1. Dodgy traders have since emerged to fill the gap with cheap yet fake
products.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care believes that the
country needs at least 2,3-million litres of hand sanitiser liquid to provide
every citizen with 150ml of the liquid per month. Treasury has since disbursed
$33 million to help universities that are manufacturing hand sanitisers and
face masks to ramp up production. Most of the institutions are currently
producing an average of 12 000 litres of hand sanitisers and 15 000 face masks
per day. Sanitisers contain antiseptic agents and can be conveniently used to
cleanse hands when soap and water are not readily available. They offer
protection by preventing or reducing bacteria, viruses and other pathogens that
can cause infections.
Investigations by this publication established that an
assortment of dangerous chemicals with a high concentration of ethanol are
being packaged and sold as sanitisers. One such chemical is glutaraldehyde or
cidex— a potentially harmful liquid containing dangerous substances, which can
cause irritation to the skin, eyes and throat if inhaled or swallowed.
As a disinfectant, it is commonly used to sterilise
surgical instruments, among others. But backyard manufacturers of the fake
sanitisers maintain that their products are genuine.
“The stuff is not bad. All components used are not
hazardous. However, some of the chemicals we use are for manufacturing toilet
disinfectants, but again, that is not bad since they all act against bacteria
or viruses,” revealed the manufacturer, who declined to be named.
Unbranded sanitisers have noticeably flooded most
high-density suburbs around the country. The products, however, are beginning to take a toll on some
victims.
“I felt a burning sensation and irritation at night after
spending the day applying a hand sanitiser I bought on the street. I then woke
up the following day with my hand partially bruised and burnt,” recounts
Munashe Tanganai from Tynwald South.
Tanganai bought his 500ml bottle of “hand sanitiser” in the
streets of Harare a day before the 21-day lockdown began.
His hands are visibly burnt and he says he is not the only
one affected.
“I bought a big bottle, at bargain price, so that I could
share with my other family members. My elder brother also complained after
using it but his case is not as severe as mine,” he adds. Doctors opine fake
sanitisers not just come with a false sense of safety but can also have side
effects.
“There are dangerous as these often have side effects on
the human skin. People are using sanitisers to get rid of viruses but if the
product is fake, it exposes the user to potential harm not only from the virus,
but also the dangerous chemicals used,” said Dr Boniface Mariga, a
pulmonologist and part-time lecture at a local university.
Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner
Paul Nyathi said law enforcement agents were “working with relevant
authorities to protect citizens from unscrupulous traders”.
“The public should feel free to approach relevant
authorities so that police investigate and arrest these culprits.”
The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol)
last month arrested at least 121 individuals involved in mass production of
fake masks, sanitisers and supposed coronavirus spray across 90 countries.
As a result, the public, according to the Consumer Council
of Zimbabwe (CCZ), have to be vigilant and report any suspicious cases. “The
public needs to understand that not only unlicensed traders sell knock-offs,
thus they need to be cautious every time. We urge them to report to us or the
police any cases so that culprits are brought to book,” said CCZ deputy
executive director Mrs Rosemary Mpofu.
A pharmacist, Mr Aaron Mutendi, said some industry players
were trying to enrich themselves by taking advantage of the unfolding global
health crisis. “It has always been the nature of businesspeople to try and
capitalise on a crisis like this one, but it is not the right thing to do,” he
said.
“There are dubious products on the market. (The) good thing
is most of our consumers are aware. A circular has since been issued requesting
consumers to buy masks and sanitisers from licensed dealers,” said Mike
Karimazondo, who operates pharmacies in various high-density suburbs in the
capital.
Health experts say washing hands with soap is a much more
effective method for disease prevention than hand sanitisers.
Scientists argue soap removes some microbes that
alcohol-based products cannot. Sunday Mail
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