Zimbabwe Red Cross Society partners Zimbabwe Agricultural Society in Covid-19 vaccination Members of the public engage Red Cross volunteers at the ZRCS stand at the ZAS.

Vongai Chinjeke Herald Reporter

The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) has partnered with the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) to vaccinate people freely at this year’s edition of the annual business showcase complementing the Government’s effort to achieve herd immunity.

In a statement today, the ZRCS communications and corporate affairs manager Mr Stambuli Kim said a dedicated team of health professionals had been assigned to conduct the inoculation exercise.

“In support of the Government accelerated and decentralised vaccination drive, the ZRCS has deployed a team of medical doctors and nurses who are providing Covid-19 vaccinations for free within the Exhibition Centre, bringing the much-needed services closer to the people who might have missed an opportunity to get vaccinated due to other commitments.

“The humanitarian player has also deployed first aid action teams who are responding to first aid casualties. Those in need of assistance would then get closer attention at the Red Cross clinic situated near the main arena,” he said.

The ZRCS secretary general Mr Elias Hwenga said as an auxiliary to Government’s humanitarian efforts, they are playing a complimentary role and will continue providing such services whenever possible.

“As an auxiliary to Government and a humanitarian player whose sole mandate is to serve humanity, providing heath and first aid services at ZAS and other national events is in sync with our mandate and mission.

“This need has been even more evident this year as we are grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic. In line with the Government’s accelerated vaccination drive, we strongly feel bringing the vaccines closer to the people will go a long way in the attainment of the herd immunity we intend as a nation so that we might return to our normal activities,” he said.

Mr Hwenga said the vaccination programme will bring the much-needed service closer to those who are formally and informally employed.

“In line with the Government policy, the vaccinations are being availed for free. Our main thrust through this vaccination initiative in support of the Government’s Covid-19 accelerated and decentralised vaccination drive is to ensure that everyone has access to vaccines.

“There is no time for waiting. We need to vaccinate as many people as we can immediately. The need to vaccinate as many as we can, is crucial for us as a country so that we reach the goal of herd immunity,” he said.

Mr Hwenga said since the outbreak of the Covid-19, the ZRCS has been working closely with the Government and other development partners in a bid to save lives through donations of ventilators, personal protective equipment, and other essentials.

He said the ZRCS sought to explore the expansion of its medical and pharmaceutical businesses so as to strike a balance of a financially self-sustaining humanitarian player through provision of low-cost high quality affordable medical and pharmaceutical services to the Zimbabwean populace.

Mr Hwenga said as an essential humanitarian services provider, the ZRCS will remain operational throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and has developed protocols to keep beneficiaries, partners, volunteers and staff safe while maintaining continuity of operations.

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