Mako Jerera
Zimbabwe has received 20 ambulances, and ancillary medical equipment from the Government of India as well as the African Development Bank (AfDB) to help improve the country’s public health system.
The Indian government donated 10 of the ambulances while the AfDB, through the World Health Organisation donated another 10 ambulances and ventilators and other medical equipment.
Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care (Rtd) General Constantino Chiwenga received the vehicles, yesterday, saying the donation was a first step towards the attainment of an effective ambulance system targeted by the ministry.
“Let me affirm that the initial batch of donated ambulances will be distributed to some district, provincial, central hospitals and selected tollgates along major highways,” he said.
Vice President Chiwenga expressed his gratitude towards the Government of India, African Development Bank and World Health Organisation Zimbabwe for their philanthropic hand in the national Covid-19 response saying the donation will go a long way in improving the country’s health care delivery system.
Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Vijay Khanduja said the relationship between the two countries was a long one based on mutual trust, respect and solidarity.
“It is an honour and privilege for me to hand over a consignment of 10 ambulances as a gift from India to Zimbabwe which had been promised during the visit of the Vice President of India in 2018.
“We hope that the ambulances will strengthen the healthcare system in Zimbabwe and make the bilateral relationship more ambulatory, dynamic and strong,” he said.
Vice President Chiwenga said Government on its part, would purchase 100 more ambulances to enhance the collection capacity.
Speaking at the handover ceremony on Thursday, Vice President Chiwenga said Zimbabwe still needed more ambulances to increase its capacity to respond to all emergencies and disasters that could cost lives.
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