ZIMBABWE RECEIVES AMBULANCES AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
Deputy Minister of Health Dr John Mangwiro (red tie) receives ambulance keys from officials from the Japanese embassy.
By Knowledge Chingwecha
The Government of Zimbabwe received medical equipment and ambulances from various stakeholders who include the British embassy, Japan, World Health Organisation, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNOPS.
The event was graced by senior government officials and health development partners officials who included guest of honour Deputy Minister Health and Child Care Dr John Mangwiro, permanent secretary in the ministry of health and child care Air Commodore Dr Jasper Chimedza, UK ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Melanie Robinson, WHO country representative Dr Alex Gasasira,UNICEF country representative Dr T Oyewale and UNFPA representative Dr Esther Muia.
The equipment received includes 70 Ice Lined vaccine fridges, 80 Solar Direct Drive fridges, 130 standard cold boxes, and 499 vaccine carriers, which are crucial in the delivery of #COVID19 vaccines to all parts of the country. 8 ambulances, operating tables, delivery tables, ICU beds, Doppler foetal heart and midwifery kits among others. The equipment will assist in improving the COVID-19 vaccines cold chain – ensuring crucial vaccines can be adequately transported and stored.
Speaking at the event Dr Mangwiro said, “Government through the Ministry of Health and Child Care remains open to partnerships like these which contribute critical resources like this cold chain equipment for the achievement of the country’s health goals and ultimately the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1)”.
“On behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe, my Ministry and indeed my own behalf I want to take this opportunity to thank the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, UNICEF, UNFPA and UNOPS for their kind gesture of an extended hand to the fight against this pandemic. May you continue this good work, together we will win the fight”. He added.
The arrival of the equipment comes at a time when the country as of 1 march has had 236 871 confirmed cases of Covid-19 infections, including 226 732 recoveries and 5 395 deaths. As at March 2022, a total of 4 361 564 people have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, with 3 396 934 people getting their second dose and 126 468 having received their third dose.