By Abel Karowangoro
THE Harare City Council (HCC) is being accused of neglecting its healthcare workers that reportedly contracted Covid-19 in the line of duty.
In the past few days, there have been numerous cases of HCC health workers and other staff members who have reportedly tested positive for Covid-19.
On Monday, a senior sister who was based at Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital in Harare is said to have tested positive for the virus amid allegations that the responsible authorities, HCC, have done nothing to ensure she gets treatment.
The infected senior sister narrated her ordeal to this publication.
“My results came out on Monday while I was at home, having already felt the symptoms of Covid-19” she said.
“I contacted the Sister-in-Charge and was told that the ambulance would come to collect me.
That was around 5pm, but nothing happened until some well-wishers came to my rescue on Tuesday,” said the Sister-in-Charge.
“My family has not yet been tested and the house has not been fumigated,” she added.
A neighbour told this publication that they will try and call the Covid-19 rapid response team but we have not yet received any feedback.
“Our neighbours are not safe at all, with one of their children reportedly exhibiting symptoms of the virus, but no assistance has been provided yet,” said the neighbour.
Health services director for City of Harare Dr Prosper Chonzi did not respond to questions sent to him by this publication by the time of publication.
Zimbabwe Urban and Rural Council Nurses Workers’ Union president Simbarashe James Tafirenyika said it was disheartening that healthcare personnel were being neglected, adding that the union was now taking the call to protect all health workers seriously.
“This is why we did not sign the certificate of settlement as a union. That is why we decided to inspect all the clinics which are operating. The HCC must now take seriously the welfare of its workers following reports that some have contracted Covid-19 and not just neglect them,” he said.
“We feel that all health workers should be tested for Covid-19 before being transferred to other clinics,” Mr Tafirenyika said.
