World Vision, NAC donate PPE to BCC
BULAWAYO mayor Solomon Mguni has said the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) has resulted in some health workers contracting COVID-19, describing the situation as very worrisome.
Mguni made the remarks during the handover ceremony of PPE from the National Aids Council (NAC) and World Vision.
NAC donated PPE worth $1 million and World Vision handed over equipment worth US$157 000 to assist the city in its fight against COVID-19 and diarrhoea.
Mguni said it had been noted that the shortage of PPE was putting the lives of the frontline workers at risk.
“Just yesterday (Wednesday), when we had our multi-sectoral meeting here, we made an observation that our health staff, frontline workers, were at a risk of contracting COVID-19 due to the shortage of PPE,” Mguni said.
“We are humbled by the timely donation by NAC. The World Vision’s generosity worth US$157 000 is targeting areas that are diarrhoea-stricken such as Luveve, Mpopoma, Iminyela and Old Phumula.”
Mguni said the current situation was worrying now that hotspots in the city have increased from 4 to 25.
“In Bulawayo as at July 30, the cumulative number of cases is at 786 cases and 737 are confirmed local transmissions with 275 recoveries and 17 deaths.
“Just yesterday, the information that we had is that the COVID-19 pandemic has spread to about 25 suburbs. This is quite worrying. Hotspots were four western suburbs and now, we are talking of 25 as of yesterday. This is quite worrying to us as authorities,” he said.
He said council made an appeal to the stakeholders to assist during this difficult time. He also asked citizens to remain cautious, safe and also appreciate different partners who have come on board to help the city in dealing with the pandemic.
Bulawayo Metropolitan Affairs minister Judith Ncube said she appreciated how NAC had managed to spread the word on social media platforms to raise awareness of both HIV and COVID-19.
“In particular, in this province, NAC has been working closely with the city health department in risk communication to our communities.
“Already, in addition to human resources at provincial and district levels, a team of key staff members remained in place even during the lockdown period.
“These staff members have been part of the community mobilisation and awareness campaigns and co-ordinating efforts,” Ncube said.
She added: “Today, I am very glad that we are continuing in the same spirit as we hand over to the City Health Department an assortment of PPE. The PPE is meant to protect health workers against COVID-19 as they deliver services to the public.”