News / Health
Ebola nightmare
19 Nov 2014 at 14:14hrs | Views
Given the way EBOLA virus has scourged West Africa, one is compelled to weigh options available for the continent composed mostly by ailing economies. It is given, our capacity to tame the virus is limited; hence the need for a careful approach to keep this dreaded disease beyond the borders of Zimbabwe.
It is noble at this juncture to balance between diplomatic relations and the threat presented by EBOLA. In as much as African brotherhood cannot be compromised by natural disasters, a flexible intervention in tandem with abilities available for the control of the diseases is crucial.
It was plausible to withdraw Zimbabwe Republic Police from Liberia in a bid to nip the disease. However, to have an influx of at least 800 immigrants from the affected region into Zimbabwe feels is scary when developed economies like Australia have since ceased processing visas of West Africans. This is in reference to official statics, a thought of the unaccounted visits isn't rosy too given the epidemic could have created refugees.
Nevertheless, situation on the ground needs more vigilance in guarding against the penetration of the virus in our homeland. There is need to revise monitoring and detection at Chirundu border post which happens to be the major port of entry for travellers from affected region by road. Travellers go to the EBOLA screening facility voluntarily unlike at the airports.
Without necessarily sounding xenophobic, control of human traffic from the affected areas should be tightened. As a country we have shown enough commitment to the control of EBOLA by availing our medical personnel to that effect.
The government's gesture is testimonial of the efforts towards preparedness to combat the disease, and above all respect for human life.
The concern is motivated by the attaining situation where the medical doctors value money more than human life. The recent industrial action by doctors from all the categories reflects on the genre of life savers we have as a nation.
It is my humble opinion not to burden our medical personnel as they have indicated that they are doing more already for little returns. If I had the means, I would track down the only doctor who remained on duty at Parirenyatwa Hospital and get a glimpse of the selfless and more than patriotic Zimbabwean. A situation similar to the striking doctors over remuneration in Liberia in the wake of EBOLA cannot be entertained locally.
The epidemic has so far claimed over five thousand lives affecting at least five hundred health workers in the six nations which are battling with the virus. We cannot afford to wake up one morning to get a kiss of death from EBOLA.
It is noble at this juncture to balance between diplomatic relations and the threat presented by EBOLA. In as much as African brotherhood cannot be compromised by natural disasters, a flexible intervention in tandem with abilities available for the control of the diseases is crucial.
It was plausible to withdraw Zimbabwe Republic Police from Liberia in a bid to nip the disease. However, to have an influx of at least 800 immigrants from the affected region into Zimbabwe feels is scary when developed economies like Australia have since ceased processing visas of West Africans. This is in reference to official statics, a thought of the unaccounted visits isn't rosy too given the epidemic could have created refugees.
Nevertheless, situation on the ground needs more vigilance in guarding against the penetration of the virus in our homeland. There is need to revise monitoring and detection at Chirundu border post which happens to be the major port of entry for travellers from affected region by road. Travellers go to the EBOLA screening facility voluntarily unlike at the airports.
The government's gesture is testimonial of the efforts towards preparedness to combat the disease, and above all respect for human life.
The concern is motivated by the attaining situation where the medical doctors value money more than human life. The recent industrial action by doctors from all the categories reflects on the genre of life savers we have as a nation.
It is my humble opinion not to burden our medical personnel as they have indicated that they are doing more already for little returns. If I had the means, I would track down the only doctor who remained on duty at Parirenyatwa Hospital and get a glimpse of the selfless and more than patriotic Zimbabwean. A situation similar to the striking doctors over remuneration in Liberia in the wake of EBOLA cannot be entertained locally.
The epidemic has so far claimed over five thousand lives affecting at least five hundred health workers in the six nations which are battling with the virus. We cannot afford to wake up one morning to get a kiss of death from EBOLA.
Source - Caitlin Kamba
