Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital in Harare is Zimbabwe’s major Covid-19 testing centre/ AFP Photo/Jekesai NJIKIZANA
The world is battling to contain Coronavirus has for far hit 118 countries (March 13) affecting over 125,000 people and leaving more than 4,000 dead (as of March 13).
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently declared it a global pandemic.
What does the declaration mean?
A pandemic refers to unexpected diseases that extend over large geographic areas and can be transmitted from person to person. The term is mostly used to describe a new disease.
With the disease now being close to Zimbabwe, the government has assured that it is well prepared to combat the disease, but is this really the case?
Deputy Director Epidemiology and Disease Control/ Communicable Diseases, Dr. Isaac Phiri, said every Zimbabwean city has an infectious disease hospital and these will be used as health centres for dealing with COVID-19 cases.
Below is a table showing the facilities in the capital Harare and the second largest city of Bulawayo, which have been earmarked to deal with COVID-19 cases.
| Province | Name of Institution | Bed Capacity | Capacity for Coronavirus Patients |
| Harare | Wilkins Hospital – It is the main centre for suspected COVID- 9 cases in the country | 100 | 100 with room to expand using tents outside when need arises. |
| Bulawayo | Thorngrove Hospital | 150 | 12 -14 beds with potential to expand |
All in all, here are the health facilities which have been designated to attend to coronavirus cases in Zimbabwe:
Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital – Harare
Thorngrove Infectious Diseases Hospital – Bulawayo
Masvingo Provincial Hospital – Masvingo
Mutare Provincial Hospital – Manicaland
Mutare Infectious Diseases Hospital – Manicaland
Gweru Provincial Hospital – Midlands
Gweru Infectious Diseases Hospital – Midlands
Kadoma General Hospital – Mashonaland West
Beitbridge District Hospital IOM border facility – Matebeleland South
Victoria Falls Hospital – Matebeleland North
According to the health ministry, central hospitals are required to briefly attend to identified cases, before referring them to treatment facilities.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care is issuing daily reports on the Coronavirus crisis which it posts on a government website www.mohcc.co.zw and on social media platforms, including Twitter.
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