Zimbabwe’s NETONE and TelOne parastatals have donated personal protective equipment (PPE) to Mpilo Centre Hospital after noticing the challenges the country as a whole is facing amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The two companies also pledged to drill two boreholes at the health institution as the country is facing water challenges. The shortage of water in the country is greatly affecting hospitals and might lead to the spread of more dangerous diseases.
Mpilo hospital was very happy to receive FFP2 dust masks, dromex goggles, disposable overalls, medium-duty aprons, plastic overshoes, chemical overalls, knapsacks and hydrogen peroxide spray sanitizer for surfaces, isopropyl alcohol based hand sanitizers and isopropyl alcohol-based sanitizers.
Wing Sibanda, TelOne correspondent, said it was the duty of businesses to contribute to the health sector whenever there was need. He also encouraged people who could help to join in the fight so as to defeat the pandemic.
“As State-owned enterprises, NetOne and TelOne have a critical role to play in line with our sustainable commitment to contribute to socio-economic development in line with our $10 million dollar COVID-19 response package unveiled a few weeks ago,” Sibanda said.
”Our COVID-19 response proposal will zero in on high impact projects that have a long-term impact even post pandemic, and have a strong community impact approach. This will ensure that we optimally utilise both company resources to benefit and uplift the generality of Zimbabweans during and after the virus crisis, as responsible corporate citizens that support the health, safety and well-being of the communities in which we operate,” added Sibanda.
Sibanda said it was time for businesses to work with the government as they have a critical role to play in reducing local transmission of coronavirus. He said that fighting the spread of the virus required collective effort.
”Our donation seeks to augment the government’s efforts in providing the necessary PPE for frontline health personnel. There is also an increasing need for both hand and surface sanitizers as part of curbing the spread of the virus,” he said.
Solwayo Ngwenya, acting Chief Officer thanked the two parastatals and called for more donations. Lastly, he warned that disaster was looming as many people were not practising social distance.
