OVER 480 healthcare workers have contracted Covid-19 in
Zimbabwe which constitutes about 11 percent of the total number of cases that
have been recorded so far.
As of Saturday, 102 deaths had been recorded from a total
of 4 575 positive cases. The affected health workers include nurses, student
nurses, doctors, matrons, laboratory scientists, nurse aides, general hands and
pharmacists.
Healthcare workers have been greatly exposed to Covid-19
due to the global shortage of personal protective equipment.
Nurses, the greatly affected group which account for 37
percent of the total Covid-19 confirmed cases among heathcare workers globally
are on strike which enters day 52 today.
More than 100 nurses at Mpilo Central and United Bulawayo
Hospitals have contracted the virus, forcing them into quarantine, thereby
reducing the number of workers who are manning the public institutions.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care Covid-19
Zimbabwe Situation Report, Harare and Bulawayo have reported the highest number
of local cases.
“A significant number of health workers have been infected
with Covid-19 and as of the July 29, 2020, 11 percent of the cases were among
health care workers with the majority being from the nursing profession,” read the
report.
“Nurses and student nurses account for 35,8 percent and
15,7 percent of the total cases respectively while doctors account for 5,2
percent.”
The ministry said Matabeleland South province had reported
a significant number of imported cases compared to other provinces.
To date there are 1 104 imported cases and Matabeleland
South has recorded 323 cases.
The ministry also said the Covid-19 psychosocial support
response team has developed mental health resources which will be launched in
the coming weeks.
“These resources are in the form of sensitisation videos
and material made for by Zimbabweans, some in local languages. These self-help
materials are available online and will be circulated through various social
media platforms. A WhatsApp chatbot and mobile app are under development to
make services more accessible by affected members of the public,” it said.
The Zimbabwe Nurses Association has raised concern over
stigmatisation and discrimination across the country, a development that has
seen some of them being evicted from their lodgings as landlords and fellow
tenants fear that they are carriers of the virus.
In some instances, according to Zina nurses are shunned by
family and friends and face discrimination when using public transport and when
they are shopping in supermarkets.
Zina president Mr Enock Dongo on Friday said some
healthcare workers were being shunned by community members owing to stigma or
fear.
“It happens everywhere but mostly in Bulawayo and Harare.
It’s unfortunate that the nurses don’t want us to divulge their names but they
have informed us that they are being evicted simply because they are health
workers and the landlords suspect that they are carriers of Covid-19,” he said.
Chronicle
0 comments:
Post a Comment