First Lady’s surprise hospital visit welcome

EDITOR — The surprise visit by our First Lady to Harare Central Hospital was the best way to discover the true state of our hospitals.

If she had announced her visit, workers at the hospital would have obviously tried to panel-beat the situation so that it looks bearable. There is a lot of work that needs to be done in our public hospitals.

We are happy to know that despite the challenges being faced in the health sector, health employees have maintained their hygiene.

The environment is a significant factor in our health. Exposure to a clean and friendly environment will therefore speed the recovery of a patient.

There is need to prioritise health in the budget. We have had multiple challenges and these include inadequate supply of drugs. There are diseases that require consistent drug intake and if a patient fails to get drugs on time, it poses a threat to their lives.

It is sad that the largest hospital in the country in terms of patients has only two old ambulances. Cases of patients who need urgent attention and to be ferried to the hospital are obviously high.

An old vehicle cannot move at a speed that is required in times of emergencies.

These ambulances are at risk of breaking down in the middle of a crisis and this poses a threat to life. There is a need to replace them and increase the number.

Tanaka Vhudzijena.