ZIRP support strengthens COVID-19 response in Chikomba district

While Chimanimani and Chipinge were the worst affected districts by Cyclone Idai, ZIRP is working in 9 districts across three provinces in Zimbabwe to restore food security and livelihoods and revitalise access to education, health services, water and sanitation. Reprogramming of the project has enabled ZIRP to also support these vulnerable communities in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A timely donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and hand hygiene commodities to Zimbabwe’s Chikomba District of Mashonaland East has bumped rural health workers’ confidence to continue offering services.

Chikomba, located 200km south of the capital Harare, has not been spared by the inadequate PPE that has dogged Zimbabwe’s health sector and the globe at large. The donation, according to officials and beneficiary workers, could not have come at a better time.

Alice Mhundwa, a registered nurse at Wiltshire Clinic in Chikomba District, said the provision of the PPE had been a major boost to workers’ confidence when delivering essential health care services to their clients. 

“We are grateful for the personal protective equipment that we received recently as it has given us the confidence to offer health services to the public without exposing ourselves to COVID-19,” Mhundwa said.  

Health care workers from Unyetu Clinic also cited that the hand sanitisers and liquid soap made a huge difference. Before the donation, patients washed their hands with plain water, which made the nurses feel unsafe and vulnerable. Following the availability of liquid soap and hand sanitisers, amongst other commodities, patients were provided with the recommended soapy water and alcohol-based sanitisers, which made a huge difference in the management of COVID-19 at the institution. 

While the health workers indicated more still need to be done in terms of PPE provision, they pointed out training on proper and rational use of the commodities was key if wastages are to be reduced. 

With funding from the World Bank, WHO handed over the consignment of PPE and other related commodities in Mashonaland East, Masvingo and Manicaland Provinces recently. The consignment which included masks, sanitisers, thermometers, gloves, liquid soap, face shields, tablets, phones and motorbikes, have helped health workers effectively deliver services, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.