Staff Writer
The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) has called on government to do more in preventing the deadly Coronavirus indicating that current measures are not enough to protect the nation.
In a statement released Monday, ZADHR called on health authorities to strengthen the existing systems.
“The association notes with concern the growing number of cases of Coronavirus in China and around the world and calls upon Government of Zimbabwe to urgently strengthen existing response mechanisms to ensure an effective coordinated response to guard against cases of Coronavirus,” the statement said.
The remarks come shortly after government issued a situational report, assuring citizens that all measures are in place to detect the virus among immigrants coming into the country through the Robert Mugabe airport.
But the human rights doctors said relevant arms of government must be put in place to enforce adequate surveillance measures at all ports of entry into the country saying such mechanisms must be in place to diagnose suspected patients provided treatment facilities which minimise further spread to others and or health workers and to do contact tracing for all suspected cases.
“Active surveillance diagnostic prompt diagnosis and effective treatment of infected health workers to be mobilised, trained equipped and well protected to deal with any suspected or confirmed cases of coronavirus,” ZADHR said.
The association also called on the Ministry of Health and Child Care to immediately empower members of the media and its communications department to educate the public on the safety and hygiene precautionary measures.
“This will go a long way to counter the myths and misconception on social media regarding treatment and management of the condition, ZADHR applauds the leading role by the World Health Organisation about this Public Health International Concern to date,” the statement added.
The CoronaVirus also known as Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a severe acute respiratory condition which causes viral pneumonia .It is suspected that the initial cases were transmitted through animal human contact and cases of human and human transmission have been confirmed.
The epidemic originated in the city of Wuhan in China and has spread to many countries across the globe.
By February 2 , globally there were 14 557 confirmed 2 604 new , China 14 411 confirmed 2 590 new, 2 110 severe (315 new) , 304 deaths , 45 new.
Outside of China 146 confirmed (14 new) in 23 countries and one death according to the World Health Organisation situation report.
The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) is a philanthropic organization established in 2002 to secure the observance of the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other International Conventions.
