Zimpapers Logo

Herald Reporter
Government should engage and support pharmaceutical companies to enhance production of COVID-19 related supplies in case of an upsurge of cases in Zimbabwe.

Speaking on the sidelines of a handover of various medicines and chemicals to curb the spread of the virus in his constituency on Tuesday this week, Mhondoro-Ngezi legislator Cde Tavengwa Mukuhlani said the industry was critical in fighting the spread of the Covid-19.

Cde Mukuhlani, who also owns the Bulawayo-based Zimbabwe Pharmaceuticals, distributed 45 litres of hand-sanitisers, 45 litres surface disinfectants concentrate, 32 litres of liquid soap, Vitamin C tablets and Paracetamol syrup to St Michaels’ Mission Hospital, Ngezi Rural District Hopsital and Turf Polyclinic.

He, however, revealed that the pharmaceutical industry was inhibited by various challenges including shortages of materials and containers for the supplies.

The Mhondoro-Ngezi legislator said Government, through the Ministries of Health and Child Care and Industry and Commerce, should engage stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector and supporting industry.

“The universities and other tertiary institutions are playing their part but what is needed so that we are not caught unaware are fully functional pharmaceutical companies to produce the required chemicals and medicines,” he said.

President Mnangagwa has already declared the COVID-19 a national disaster while Zimbabwe has 18 confirmed cases and three deaths from the virus which has already been declared a global pandemic.

At least two million cases and close to 130 000 deaths have been recorded across the world. Cde Mukuhlani said Zimbabwe could be severely affected if there is an upsurge of cases as the pharmaceutical industry is not fully capacitated.