COVID-19 Experiences:| Winnie Chamakavinga|Nurse| Parirenyatwa
Winnie Chamakavinga, who is one of the team leaders of frontline nurses at Parirenyatwa says nurses didn’t know what their fate would be like due to COVID-19.
She said there was fear everywhere when Parirenyatwa admitted its first COVID-19 patients.
In an interview with The FeedZW, Chamakavinga said the more patients they admitted, the more afraid nurses became.
“At first everyone feared for their lives because the future was uncertain. People did not know what to expect if they contracted COVID-19, what would be their fate.
“When we admitted our first patient, everyone was scared, we were just afraid to contract COVID-19.
“As we admitted more patients, the fear became greater and greater,” she said.
According to Chamakavinga, nurses only became relieved when some of the patients who were admitted started recovering.
“As the journey went along, it was relieving to see most of our patients recovering.
“God is the life-giver, because while everyone was afraid to give their lives, the front-liners dedicated their lives.
“They did not know what to expect but they survived. So we leant that if you give your life it will be given back to you,” she said.
Challenges in responding to COVID-19
Health workers, especially nurses and doctors have faced challenges as front-line workers in the response to COVID-19.
Some of the challenges include lack of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and lack of amenities to use.
There are also not enough hospital beds to admit COVID-19 patients in the country.
Those hospitals that would have beds, there will be shortage of ventilators and oxygen.
Minister of Finance Mthuli Ncube is on record saying money generated from the transaction tax has been committed to fighting COVID-19.
However, the situation on the ground tell a different story.
Madzorera said if all the money was going where it is supposed to be going, the country would have been in a better position in fighting COVID-19. #OpenCovidContracts
COVID-19 Experiences: Winnie Chamakavinga Nurse Parirenyatwa
