The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) is implementing an Africa CDC Saving Lives and Livelihoods project whose main thrust is social mobilisation for COVID-19 vaccine demand and uptake.
The project, which is being implemented in Mashonaland West and Midlands provinces, is facilitated by the Health and Child Care Ministry.
The project is being supported by the Africa CDC Saving Lives and Livelihoods in partnership with MasterCard Foundation.
Esther Chitaya of Denhere village (Ward 4) in Zvimba district told <a href="https://www.thestandard.co.zw/news/article/200013207/fresh-covid-19-vaccination-drive-targets-rural-folk">The Standard</a> that people in her community, who have received the first dose, had been hesitant to get the second dose due to misconceptions and myths about the origins of COVID-19. She said:
<blockquote>
I got my first dose at Matanhire shopping centre during a mobile vaccination programme and I never turned up for the second dose.
Just recently, we had people from the Red Cross and Health Ministry moving around our village telling us about the importance of vaccination and warning us that COVID-19 was not over.
It was after this awareness drive that you find me and my colleagues here at the clinic to get the vaccination.
I have realised the importance of being vaccinated and I want to urge others to do so.
I think what the government is doing is essential because they are protecting us from future disasters.
We saw people dying of COVID-19 and we can’t afford to lose more just because they are not vaccinated.
</blockquote>
Tivaudze Mushangwe (19), who was getting his first COVID-19 jab at Nyabira clinic in Zvimba District, urged the Government to incorporate COVID-19 services into other health services programmes.
Zimbabwe Red Cross Society secretary-general Elias Hwenga said:
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You would realise that the main thrust of this project is social mobilisation for COVID-19 vaccine demand and uptake.
I am happy that our teams and village health workers have got the training and are getting into the communities.
</blockquote>
Africa CDC Saving Lives and Livelihood Programme national coordinator Charles Ibeneme said:
<blockquote>
The Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative is a partnership between the MasterCard Foundation and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) designed to save the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in Africa and hasten the economic recovery of the continent in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The initiative is acquiring vaccines for more than 65 million people, supporting the delivery of vaccinations to millions more across the continent, including Zimbabwe, laying the groundwork for vaccine manufacturing in Africa through a focus on human capital development and strengthening the Africa CDC.
</blockquote>
He said during the 10-month implementation of the project they would train village health workers, ZRCS volunteers and influential people in communities with the aim of mobilising people to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Said Ibemene:
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By being closer to the people we would lessen the burden on villagers.
We want the COVID-19 service to get to the last mile, we want villagers to access the service.
</blockquote>
On 05 May 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency more than three years after its original declaration.
WHO, however, stressed that it does not mean the disease is no longer a global threat.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

New COVID-19 Vaccination Drive Targets Rural People

The Red Cross Society of Zimbabwe has repaired an old and abandoned building in Karoi and converted it into a clinic.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Red Cross secretary-general Elias Hwenga said they intend to build more health centres across the country. He said:
<blockquote>
Our aim is to get more land to build more spacious health facilities including a maternity wing for the communities.
We have taken this stance of establishing health centres around the country to mitigate challenges being faced in the health sector.
We are determined to complement the efforts of our public authorities to ensure that health service is helping communities.
</blockquote>
Before the commissioning of the clinic by the Red Cross Society of Zimbabwe, Hurungwe District had 37 clinics, including 32 from outlying rural clinics for the public and four under the uniformed forces.
Speaking at the same occasion, Mashonaland West provincial medical director Gift Masocha warned health workers to desist from soliciting bribes from patients. Said Masocha:
<blockquote>
Let me make it clear that no patient must pay any extra money to an official at our public health facilities.
It is a criminal offence for any official to be paid any personal money. Once you pay what is required officially, you must get the services.
</blockquote>
He also encouraged patients who feel that they are “ill-treated” by medical staff to report to higher authorities. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200004472/red-cross-society-converts-old-building-into-clinic">NewsDay</a>

Red Cross Society Converts Abandoned Building Into Clinic

A 21-year-old student died on the spot after he was run over by a Harare City Council municipal police traffic vehicle along Charter Road last week on Tuesday.
The vehicle, which was in a high-speed chase with a kombi, hit Tatenda Vambe, a Red Cross student in Highfield, killing him instantly.
The deceased’s relatives blocked municipal police officials from attending the funeral as they accused the council traffic law enforcers of reckless driving.
One of Tatenda’s neighbours, Farai Mandovha, revealed that the deceased’s body was quickly removed from the scene. Said Mandovha:
<blockquote>
His body was removed from the scene quickly, with some suggesting that he was a street kid, and that affected us very much as a family.
Some were suggesting that Tatenda had thrown himself onto the moving vehicle as a way of covering their reckless driving.
When some officials from the municipal police came here with their US$60 funeral contribution, we refused to accept it in anger.
We finally came to an understanding with them following consultations and if everything goes according to plan Tatenda will be laid to rest at Granville Cemetery.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/student-run-over-in-high-speed-chase/">H-Metro</a></h4>

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