Zimbabwe's China-funded COVID-19 treatment and isolation center upgrade complete

March 31, 2020

Abstract : Zimbabwe's main COVID-19 isolation and treatment center, Wilkins Hospital, which was upgraded by Chinese enterprises at a cost of more than 500,000 U.S. dollars, has been completed.

Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun (1st L) and Zimbabwean Health Minister Obadiah Moyo (1st R) visit Wilkins Hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe, on March 5, 2020. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)

Zimbabwe's main COVID-19 isolation and treatment center, Wilkins Hospital, which was upgraded by Chinese enterprises at a cost of more than 500,000 U.S. dollars, has been completed.

HARARE, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's main COVID-19 isolation and treatment center, Wilkins Hospital, which was upgraded by Chinese enterprises at a cost of more than 500,000 U.S. dollars, has been completed.

As part of efforts to strengthen Zimbabwe's capacity to handle the coronavirus, the Chinese business community in Zimbabwe, together with the Chinese embassy, mobilized resources to revamp the Wilkins Hospital.

The hospital was mandated to treat suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients from across the country but dilapidated infrastructure at the hospital hampered the government efforts to curb the spread of the virus in the country.

The rehabilitation program, which started on March 13 and completed on March 30, included renovations of the hospital's dilapidated infrastructure and the addition of previously unavailable intensive care beds.

Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun (5th R) and Zimbabwean Health Minister Obadiah Moyo (2nd L) visit Wilkins Hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe, on March 5, 2020. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)

Speaking at the launch ceremony of the project, Zimbabwe's Health Minister Obadiah Moyo thanked Chinese business community for upgrading the hospital, saying the assistance will greatly improve the country's diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun said that relevant Chinese companies also provided medical equipment including masks, goggles and medication to the Zimbabwean government. In addition, the Chinese Embassy also donated protective equipment to Zimbabwe's health ministry.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa also expressed sincere gratitude to the Chinese government and Chinese enterprises for boosting government efforts in controlling the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Zimbabwe has so far recorded seven confirmed cases of COVID-19, with one person succumbing to the disease.