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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter
BULAWAYO’S vaccination centres have increased to 39 as the province aims to ensure vaccines are accessible to everyone at their convenience.

All Bulawayo City Council’s 19 clinics and central hospitals Mpilo, United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) and Ingutsheni have been designated as vaccination centres.

Last week, VIVAT, CIMAS, Ekusileni Medical Centre, MASCA Medical Aid and Large City Hall were incorporated into the mass vaccination programme.

Authorities said the health department is in consultation with 18 private players to be part of the mass vaccination programme.

Bulawayo is targeting to vaccinate at least 400 000 people to achieve herd immunity and over 100 000 have received their first dose.

The number of residents who have received their second dose has exceeded 60 000.

In an interview yesterday, council’s health services director Dr Edwin Sibanda said more private players have shown interest in joining the mass vaccination programme.

He said approved centres joined the mass vaccination programme on Monday.

“There are a few more private players who want to be part of the vaccination programme. But you will appreciate that some of them we do not know their capacity to handle the vaccination programme. So we are going to be assessing them to establish their capabilities before allocating them vaccines,” he said.

Dr Sibanda said there is a need for private players operating in western suburbs to join the vaccination programme.

Among the new centres is Ross Camp Hospital situated a Ross Camp Police Station, Bulawayo Prison Clinic located at Bulawayo Prison targeting mainly prisoners and staff, National University of Science and Technology (Nust) clinic, Kings Maternity Clinic, Marondera Poly Clinic and Northlyne Maternity.

The local authority is also conducting outreach programmes along Lobengula Street, Kelvin Indutries, Cowdray Park, Waterford, Emganwini and Stanley Hall.

The inclusion of vaccination centres follows reports that the city was being overwhelmed by the number of people who want to be jabbed.

Some people were waking up as early as 5AM to join vaccination queues but shortage of staff resulted in some of them being turned away.

After scaling up the mass vaccination programme two weeks ago, Bulawayo has been vaccinating at least 6 000 residents per day.

The city requires an additional 150 nurses to effectively carry out its duties.

Officials said the council is facing mass exodus of nurses while others have been hit by Covid-19 resulting in the local authority operating with skeletal staff.

To ease on the congestion at vaccination centres, the Ministry of Health and Child Care approved that private medical players can start vaccinating members of the public while charging minimal administrative fees.

Government said a vaccination dose administered by a doctor will attract just over $400 while a jab by a nurse will attract at least $200.

The country is targeting to vaccinate 10 million citizens to achieve herd immunity which will result in Zimbabwe returning to normal. — @nqotshili