By Sukuoluhle Ndlovu
Masvingo – The Zimbabwe Prisons Correctional Services (ZPCS) has established Covid-19 awareness campaigns in five satellite areas in Masvingo Province.
The identified areas are Zaka, Chivi, Mwenezi, Bikita and Gutu which are in different districts.
Campaigns also being carried out at Mutimurefu prisons where inmates are being educated about Covid -19.
In an interview the Senior Assistant Commissioner and Officer Commanding for Masvingo Province, Social Ndanga said campaigns are being carried out even at satellites which have not been established.
“Covid -19 awareness campaign is done at every station irregadless of it being a satellite station or established station. So for the bugger prisons we have Mutimurefu, remand and Chiredzi. The Covid -19 awareness campaigns we are doing at provincial level are being carried out once a month,” he said.
The campaigns are being carried out by the provincial rapid response team.
“The provincial Rapid Response team goes out to the different stations so as to have an update of what is taking place in terms of preparedness and mitigatory measures to see whether they are being carried out or not.
At those stations, the rapid response team carries out health education time and again to the inmates for them to be aware of what is taking place in terms of Covid -19,” said Commissioner Ndanga.
He added that the rapid response team was facing fuel challenges and could not hastily attend to suspected cases. The lack od PPE’s is another challenge for the front line workers.
“Like today we only have 20 tests kits to test people but all in all we are happy we have organizations that are coming forward and making donations and we thank Voluntary Services Organisation VSO as they are donating directly in terms of PPE,” she said.
So far no inmates have tested positive for corona virus at Mutimurefu prisons. The four prison officers who were infected have since recovered.
