The Ministry of Health and Child Care says Zimbabwe requires over $5 million to adequately prepare for the Novel coronavirus pandemic and it has already established seven thematic areas that need the funds.
This was revealed by Deputy Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Isaac Phiri. He said:
When we talk of thematic areas, we have seven of them. One thematic area includes screening and contact tracing of travellers where we will be using thermodetectors, so for the whole pandemic preparedness in the country, we need US$5 222 434.
Phiri added that Zimbabwe has activated the rapid response team requiring training at all levels at the national, province, district, and sub-national levels.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) country representative Dr Laylee Moshiri urged authorities to raise awareness about the pandemic rather than fueling an unnecessary panic.