Mpilo Hospital Nurse Succumbs To COVID-19

A Mpilo Hospital nurse reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 posthumously, the Chronicle reports. 36-year-old Pretty Mpala from Emakhandeni suburb in Bulawayo was reportedly buried on Friday after she tested positive for the novel Coronavirus.

Mpala who was part of the COVID-19 health frontliners was her family’s breadwinner and her family are struggling to come to terms with her death. Mpala’s aunt spoke to the publication and said:

We are still shocked and in deep pain following the passing of Pretty who was the sole breadwinner in the family. Our hearts are sore and we fear for her traumatized grandmother who raised her following the death of her parents as she is struggling to walk or talk since her death.

Pretty was a caring person and it was not surprising that she eventually became a nurse. She went through a lot of challenges while growing up but managed to shrug off all discouragement and qualified as a nurse.

Commenting about the death of Sister Petty who was the only child of her late parents, Mpilo Hospital CEO DR Solwayo Ngwenya said:

We are extremely saddened that Covid-19 has taken one of our staff members, her premature death is evidence that this disease is deadly. As health workers are at the forefront, we continue to bear the brunt of this virus but we still must work hard and face it while saving lives.

Most of us will be infected in the line of duty and it is sad that one of our self-sacrificing nurses had to lose her life. I would like to commend all those who come to work despite the risks that come with our jobs, this kind of sacrifice is highly commendable.

Mpala survived by her grandmother and her cousins.

More: Chronicle