Government-owned telecommunication firms Telone and Netone yesterday announced the setting of a joint COVID-19 response support facility to the tune of ZWL$10million.
NetOne (Pvt) Limited, Public Relations Executive, Eldrette Shereni, in a joint press release said the two firms have extended business collaboration to establish a sustainable response plan which will benefit three public hospitals namely Sally Mugabe (formerly Harare Hospital), Beatrice Infectious Diseases and Mpilo Hospitals.
“We are pleased to confirm that all the consumables which are largely PPE, sanitisers and other disinfectants are already in place and ready for distribution to the selected facilities. The drilling of all 3 boreholes has also been completed with the other 3 in progress,” Shereni says.
“Meanwhile, refurbishment work is currently underway and should be finalized over the next few weeks, after which the new equipment will be delivered. The newly refurbished and fully equipped wards are expected to be unveiled and officially handed over by end of May 2020.”
TelOne (Pvt) Limited, Head of Corporate Communications, Melody Harry said further to the $10million dedicated to the project, the two institutions have also contributed immensely towards the successful setting up of the National COVID 19 Hotline and are bearing the cost of all calls from the public terminating on our networks.
“Under this initiative the 2 entities donated 20 toll-free lines and the requisite equipment to the National Emergency Operations Response Centre,” Harry says.
“We are also pursuing innovations that we expect to ease communication while supporting the COVID 19 fight, which we hope to unveil in due course.”
“We are committed to augmenting Government’s efforts towards the mitigation of this global pandemic – that is affecting our nation.”
Key areas to be covered by the fund include infrastructure Development through supporting the refurbishment and adoption of one ward at each of the hospitals.
The facility will also cover Medical Equipment including ICU and ward care beds, bedside lockers and other ward furniture as well as suction machines, oxygen tanks, nebulisers and patient monitors.
Water reticulation through drilling and the full installation of 3 boreholes at Sally Mugabe Hospital; 2 boreholes at Mpilo and 1 borehole at Beatrice Infectious Diseases Hospital will also be covered by the support facility
Part of the facility will cover consumables which include FFP2 masks, N95 masks, dromex goggles, medium-duty aprons, chemical overalls, cotton disposable overalls, glass face screens and an assortment of sanitisers and disinfectants.
