Zimbabwe says private players can their own coronavirus vaccines but they must be given for free

HON KASHIRI: My supplementary question to the Minister is that do we now have oxygen concentrators in all covid centres around the country. Are consumables like testing kits available?

HON. DR. MANGWIRO:  I want to thank the Hon Member for the question. Oxygen supplies in the country are there, we have producers like BOC – the country has oxygen tanks in tonnes in central, provincial and other smaller hospitals and clinics have got oxygen cylinders that are filled up and ready to be used for the patients who need the oxygen. Oxygen concentrators are also a bonus, they have been brought in several hospitals and they are there and individuals also have those. Oxygen concentrators are there and we really encourage those who can afford them or as Government we have definitely oxygen supplies and we have made sure that we explore any other supplies of oxygen that may not be BOC.

Yesterday we were talking to oxygen producers in Kwekwe, the Steelmakers people, the oxygen supplies are quite safe but oxygen concentrators are a bonus. The oxygen that is required for use on a day to day basis has always been there and it is going to be ramped up like we have done and we have made sure supplies are there in oxygen tanks for bigger hospitals.

HON. MARKHAM: In view of the pandemic and the issues we have got, I have been inundated with a number of businesses wanting to privately import. May I humbly suggest to the Minister that a statement or advertisement be placed on how people can import because all those who can afford it, let them take that burden off the state. Let them import and I do not care who it is. If they are going to pay for it, let them do it.

THE HON SPEAKER: Hon Member, there is no room for suggestion. You can ask rhetorical question in future. The suggestion is taken.

HON. T MOYO:  Thank you Hon Speaker Sir.  My supplementary is that if you allow private players like multi-national corporations to import COVID-19 vaccines, are we not shooting ourselves in the foot whereby we pave way to profiteering by the private players?  I thank you.

HON. DR. MANGWIRO:  Thank you Hon. Moyo for the question.  I said it several times that even the corporates, when they bring in their vaccines via Government, we want to make sure they are bringing in registered safe vaccines into the country.  However, private players like Econet are allowed to buy this vaccine for use by its workers for free as is the process and procedure.  We are not going to have people who buy the vaccine as a commercial business entity because we are very clear that CIMAS is going to buy its vaccines but the policy is it will be provided to the CIMAS clients for free.  So, if the large corporates can buy, it would be good for Government and we encourage it. We would love to have many of them buying and help vaccinate their workers and other people.  So, we are not shooting ourselves in the foot because this is for free and the policy is clear to all corporates that the vaccine will be given for free.  I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.

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