IOM and the non-governmental organization (NGO) Americares will today donate medicines and nutritional supplements valued at over US$500,000 to the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare in Zimbabwe. The donation will be delivered at two health institutions - Harare Central Hospital and Mutare Provincial Hospital - recommended by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare.
The donation includes antibiotics, topical antiseptics, a variety of analgesics, nutrition supplements and medical supplies, including critical intravenous solutions in order to provide treatment and protection from diseases. It will people suffering from acute infections, injuries, chronic diseases, as well as provide pre-natal vitamins for pregnant women. Additionally the consignment includes hygiene items to help stem the spread of water-borne diseases such as cholera. Harare and Mutare were among the cities most affected by the cholera outbreak that hit Zimbabwe between August 2008 and July 2009, killing 4,288 people out of nearly 99,000 with the disease across the country.
"IOM is grateful for the generous support from Americares in delivering critically needed medicine and nutritional supplies to those who need it most," said Mr. Marcelo Pisani, IOM Zimbabwe Chief of Mission. "IOM has a long standing commitment to improvements in the health delivery system and we hope this donation will go a long way towards reducing suffering, restoring health and saving lives at the two health care institutions," he added. The donation will also ensure that vulnerable populations in the areas have better prospects for accessing quality health care.
IOM and Americares have a long standing global agreement for receiving, distributing and dispensing gift-in-kind medicine and supplies to organizations and health care institutions serving vulnerable and underserved populations around the globe.
The donation today is part of an IOM-Americares partnership to improve health services in Zimbabwe that have in the past been adversely affected by a number of challenges, including the exodus of skilled health professionals and lack of adequate medicine. The NGO similarly provided medical supplies to IOM to donate last year during the height of the cholera crisis, assisting health centres and clinics serving mobile and vulnerable communities and border areas. It has been helping the people of Zimbabwe for more than a decade. Since 1997, Americares has delivered more than US$ 25 million in humanitarian, disaster, medical and nutritional aid to Zimbabwe.
For further information, please contact Judith Chinamaringa, IOM Zimbabwe, Tel: +263 4 33 50 48, Email: JChinamaringa@iom.int
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