Government has so far released $591 million for immediate
Covid-19 response support, with some of the money channelled towards the
rehabilitation of Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital.
Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli
Ncube said the Ministry of Health and Child Care got $154 million for immediate
use in the Covid-19 fight.
The figure excludes the cost of the 4 000 new health
personnel that are being hired. For the Wilkins rehabilitation, Government
released $3,7 million. Yesterday, Prof Ncube toured Wilkins Hospital to assess
progress.
“The figure for the whole Government is $591 million that
has been released for immediate Covid-19 response support, and this includes
$60 million for Chemplex for water treatment chemicals, and lockdown
operational costs, and cash transfers to the vulnerable,” he said.
“I visited Wilkins Hospital in order to appreciate for
myself how the resources that Treasury has released are being used in
renovating and upgrading the facility.”
The rehabilitation of Wilkins, which is almost complete,
was also supported by the Chinese. Chinese companies operating in Zimbabwe have
invested over US$500 000 for the rehabilitation of Wilkins to boost efforts to
control the spread of Covid-19.
An additional US$150 000 has also been put together for the
procurement of medical equipment, which includes an oxygen machine, breathing
machine, test kits and protective suits, masks and other protective clothes for
health workers.
Prof Ncube said more resources were being availed to fight
Covid-19 on an ongoing basis to eliminate “this invisible enemy”.
“Working together and solidarity is key to winning this
fight,” said Prof Ncube. Herald
0 comments:
Post a Comment