President Mnangagwa receives a 30-tonne truck of maize-meal from Gain Cash and Carry chief executive officer Mr Liberty Murimwa (third from left) and human resources executive Leonet Mavura (second from right) during a handover ceremony for Covid-19 donations at State House in Harare Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Rungsung Masakui, handed over medicines donated by his country.
India has shipped 103 tonnes of essential medicine worth US$400 000, which is part of the commitment it made of US$2 million, and the medicine has arrived in Zimbabwe.
“The balance of US$1,6 million would be delivered once this lockdown ended,” said Mr Masukui.
The medicines include chloroquine and hydroxycholoroquine, which have been used worldwide as a potential treatment of the disease.
He said 1 000 tonnes of rice were being shipped, while 25 medical personnel were taking part in an online training programme sponsored by his government on managing Covid 19.
African Sun donated linen valued at $1,2 million, while the Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) handed over linen worth $800 000. Cresta handed over linen valued at $450 000, while Gain Wholesalers donated various food items.
FAW donated a tractor and boom sprayer to decontaminate public spaces and 600 face masks for policemen manning road blocks.
Coverlink weighed in with hand sanitisers worth $20 000, while Cottco handed over 500 knapsack sprayers, 12 000 face masks and 1 000 litres of hydrogen peroxide disinfectant.
Doctors and nurses in various public hospitals have either gone on strike or returned to go on strike vowing not to return until the government gives them personal protective equipment so they can safely treat suspected coronavirus patients. Public health specialists warn that without action to resolve the matter, Zimbabwe could turn into another COVID-19 epicenter.
Doctors and nurses from government hospitals said their pleas to address their safety concerns had fallen on deaf ears.