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Africa News of Monday, 3 August 2020

Source: bbc.com

Zimbabwe struggles with shortage of health workers

Health workers Health workers

Doctors in Zimbabwe say the country is facing a crisis from a shortage of healthcare workers as the number of Covid- 19 infections begins to rise.

Dr Rashida Ferrand, an epidemiologist at the main public hospital in the capital Harare told the BBC there are too few doctors and nurses because of a health workers' strike, which began before the pandemic, and a shortage of protective equipment.

The hospital has had to turn coronavirus patients away because it can only staff 30 beds for Covid-19 patients.

Zimbabwe has had nearly 4,000 confirmed virus cases, with 70 deaths registered, but doctors say the actual numbers are higher.