Overall Analysis
The unpreparedness of the Government to deal with COVID-19 is an indication of a state that has not invested
enough in improving the country’s health delivery system. The health sector has for long been in shambles as
doctors frequently go on strike for long periods citing incapacitation and a shortage of drugs and equipment for
use in public hospitals. The announcement by health personnel on 25 March that they were downing tools again
reflects a government that does not take seriously the welfare of its workers and of the citizens who are supposed
to be taken care of by those professionals.
Failure by Wilkins Hospital to have basic equipment and tools such as an electrical adapter and oxygen ventilators
is regrettable and is a grim reflection of how public health institutions have been neglected for long. This is
evidenced by the fact that it has become a norm for government officials and their families to go abroad to seek
medical attention.
The refurbishment of two private hospitals in Mt Pleasant and Avondale is an insult to the majority of
Zimbabweans who rely on public institutions for medical attention. This move to refurbish the two institutions is
an indication of a society that cares more for the welfare of the elite at the expense of the majority. The move to
announce a 21 days Lockdown is welcome but the preparedness of the Government and the Zimbabwean
populace for such a move is questionable. For starters, citizens are grappling with effects of a poorly performing
economy and find it very challenging to put food on the table. Accessing services such as water, health and
electricity is a nightmare. Locking down citizens without a proper plan on how they will access such services and
be able to feed their families becomes retrogressive as the citizens will most likely break the directive to stay at
home in order to fend for their families. The following is a video link showing citizens who were trying to get
mealie meal at Makokoba bus rank in Bulawayo on 31 March: A mealie meal queue at FortWell Supermarket near
the Bus Rank in Makokoba718/?sfnsn=mo&d=n&vh=e
Still on COVID-19, the lockdown period of 21 days started off with sad images of beatings of people by the police
and ZPP continues to implore government to ensure that while enforcing their duties, police are supposed to act
with strict restraint and must refrain from wanton beatings and harassment of citizens.
Below are pictures showing citizens going about their business on 31 March, day 2 of the Lockdown:
Figure 2: Epworth residents searching for water on 31
March (PC ZPP)
Figure 3: Marondera residents queuing to get into a shop on 31
March (PC ZPP)
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