The Sunday Mail
Society Reporter
THE disabled, street children and disadvantaged members of society also have a role in fighting Covid-19.
For the pandemic to be defeated, everybody has to put their shoulder to the wheel.
“Street kids, disabled people and other disadvantaged members of society are a part of us and they deserve to be included in our strategies to find a solution,” said Health and Child Care Permanent Secretary Dr Agnes Mahomva.
More than half a million people have been infected by disease worldwide, while 24 000 have died.
New cases continue to be recorded each passing day.
There are fears people living on the streets are not aware of the dangers that currently lurk because of the new coronavirus.
“I have just seen a couple of people putting on masks and also noticed the number of people in town is not as usual, is it because of this corona?” one of street kids quizzed us last week.
Most people who eke out a living from the streets often come in constant contact, direct or indirectly, with thousands of people every day, which makes them increasingly vulnerable.
They are naturally one of the high-risk groups in the country.
Dr Mahomva, however, indicated that Government’s awareness drive would not leave anyone behind.
“We are aware that fliers and pamphlets will not be helpful to most of these guys as they cannot read. Thus, a team led by Dr Chonzi (Prosper) has been set up and will go around verbally educating them. They need to be given as much information as possible if we are to win the fight against this pandemic.
“The disadvantaged groups need to be protected just as much as everyone else,” she said.
The outreach team will also be testing and screening for Covid-19 signs and symptoms.
Those that will test positive or show signs of infection, Dr Mahomva added, will be taken to hospital for further examination before being quarantined.
Currently, the country has no community testing centres.
While people are being urged to stay at home, street dwellers do not have an option.
But continuing to expose them to the disease means they can potentially infect everyone else.
