Essential health services delivery in Zimbabwe during the COVID-19 pandemic: perspectives and recommendations

• DOI: 10.11604/pamj.supp.2020.35.2.25367
• Publication Date: 2020-08-11T08:11:54Z
• Authors: Grant Murewanhema; Richard Makurumidze
• Keywords: Pandemic

Zimbabwe reported its first case of COVID-19 on 20 March 2020, and since then the number has increased to over 4000. To contain spread causative SARS-CoV-2 prepare healthcare system, public health interventions, including lockdowns, were imposed 30 2020. These resulted in disruptions provision, movement people supply chains. There have been resultant delays seeking accessing by patients. Additionally, disruption essential services areas maternal child health, sexual reproductive services, care for chronic conditions access oncological other specialist occurred. Thus, there may be avoidable excess morbidity mortality from non-COVID-19 causes that is not justifiable current local burden. Measures restore normalcy provision as guided World Health Organisation bodies needs considered implemented urgently, avoid preventable loss life morbidity. Adequate infection prevention control measures must put place ensure continuity whilst protecting workers patients contracting COVID-19.