In the community

Overwhelmed by Covid-19 cases, Vic Falls stops contact tracing at homes

Published

5 years ago

August 4, 2021

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Health and Child Care ministry has stopped contact tracing at homes in Victoria Falls due to the overwhelming number of new infections in the third wave of the pandemic sweeping across the country.

Fungai Musinami, Hwange district medical officer, in an update on the Covid-19 outbreak in the resort city said the Victoria Falls Rapid Response Team (RRT) was no long able to follow up on people that test positive at their homes.

“Given the number of cases and the contacts that need follow up, it is no longer practical or efficient for our RRT to visit and test people at home,” Musinami said.

She said if anyone falls ill or had been in contact with someone, who recently tested positive to Covid-19, they should immediately seek medical attention.

“To avoid delays in getting correct treatment, if you have symptoms suggestive of Covid-19 or have been in contact with someone who has Covid-19, please put on your mask and go to your nearest health facility for testing,” Musinami said.

“Please do not delay getting a test; early treatment is very important.”

Victoria Falls Hospital, Chinotimba Clinic, Truck Stop Wellness Clinic and Beat Aids Clinic, an isolation Centre in Mkhosana high density suburb are the designated facilities for Covid-19 cases.

They also offer free testing.

“If you are self-isolating at home and your condition changes or you feel more unwell, please call the hotline on 0782076918,” Musinami said.

She said Victoria Falls Hospital, which is the only facility administering Covid-19 vaccines in the city was giving first and second doses.

“Remember a single dose of the vaccine is not effective so make sure you get both doses of the vaccine,” Musinami added.

“Our current vaccination statistics are as follows:

“As of Monday, Hwange district had 1 988 cumulative cases, 545 active cases, 25 deaths and 1 418 discharged cases.

“Of the 545 active cases, 166 were derived from Victoria Falls urban.

District total for first dose stood at 47 981 and 29 137 for the second dose 29137.

“If you missed your appointment for the second dose please come to the hospital and get your second dose so that you are fully vaccinated.

“Let’s continue to mask up, sanitize and hand wash, and maintain physical distance.

“Avoid gatherings and unless you really have to go out, do stay home.”

In the community

MPs question poor radio, TV coverage in Mat North

Published

13 hours ago

March 23, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

Concerns over limited access to national broadcasting services in Matabeleland North Province were raised in Parliament.

MP Discent Bajila of Emakhandeni-Luveve constituency asked the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services:

“To explain why national radio and television coverage remains poor or non-existent in parts of Gokwe North District, Matabeleland North Province, Matabeleland South Province, and nearby districts, and to indicate whether there are any digital signal expansion plans in place before 2026.”

In a separate question, Joseph Bonda for Hwange East Constituency raised concern over weather information gaps in Hwange:

“Why the weather forecast for Hwange is not broadcast, given that it is a resort with municipal status and significant business activities.”

No responses were recorded.

In the community

MP press govt on Binga hospital, mortuary crisis

Published

4 days ago

March 20, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Members of the Parliament of Zimbabwe have raised concern over the state of health services in Binga District, questioning delays in upgrading key facilities.

Binga South MP, Fanuel Cumanzala asked the Minister of Health and Child Care:

“Whether there are any plans to rehabilitate Binga District Hospital to make it suitable for a nursing school, as earlier announced by the government.”

He further queried:

“Whether there are any concrete plans to permanently resolve the challenges faced by Binga District, particularly regarding the mortuary, which has not been fully operational for a long time.”

In a follow-up question, the legislator pressed government on broader service delivery gaps:

“What measures are being taken to improve healthcare services in Binga District, particularly in rural areas.”

“What measures are being implemented to reduce incidence of malaria and waterborne diseases in the Zambezi Valley.”

“Whether there are any plans to upgrade and expand healthcare facilities in Binga District in light of population growth and increased economic activity.”

No response was recorded in the proceedings

In the community

Hwange residents invited to constitutional amendment public hearing

Published

4 days ago

March 20, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Residents in Hwange are set to have their say on proposed changes to the country’s supreme law as the Parliament of Zimbabwe rolls out public hearings on the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 3 Bill.

The outreach programme will reach the coal-mining town on Tuesday, 31 March, with the hearing scheduled for 10am at Edmund Davies Hall, located at the No.1 Colliery Club near Thomas Coulter Primary School.

Attendance is free, and members of the public are being encouraged to participate and express their views on the proposed amendment.

According to Parliament, the hearings are part of a nationwide consultation process aimed at gathering citizens’ input before the bill is finalised. The proposed legislation—Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 3 Bill (H.B. 1, 2026)—seeks to introduce changes to key governance provisions.

The Matabeleland North outreach will begin in Tsholotsho on Monday, 30 March, before moving to Hwange, then to Binga on Wednesday, 1 April, and concluding in Lupane on Thursday, 2 April.

Parliament has also opened channels for written submissions, which can be sent to the Clerk of Parliament or via email.

However, authorities have warned that individuals wearing military uniforms, political party regalia, or carrying flags and badges will not be allowed into the hearings.

Residents in and around Hwange are urged to attend in numbers and make their voices heard.