Unpacking the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Zimbabwe`s Public Sector

Abstract

The novel COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged the entire world and its far reaching impacts have been felt across different regions and sectors world-over. Similarly, the Zimbabwean public sector has been equally affected by this pandemic. Using a qualitative methodology the research interrogates the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and proffers ways to deal with its impacts on the Zimbabwean public sector. Data was extensively collected from documentary sources such as books, journals, government publications etc. The study established that the Zimbabwean Health Sector (ZHS) is completely overwhelmed by the pandemic, that there is a decrease in revenue collection, poor social accountability, and corruption and that frontline employees and those working in environments that are exposed to the virus are psychologically affected. The research recommends that the government should capacitate the ZHS, revitalise industries and harnessing small to medium enterprises, embrace open Information Technologies (I.T) in parliamentary activities, strengthen the Watchdog institutions and create sustainable conducive working conditions for all.

Embracing e-health systems in managing the COVID 19 pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…One of the key transformations is the transition from predominant in-person hospital visits towards online consultations. Consequently, unique innovations are required to address the critical needs of COVID-19 patients ( Muzvidziwa-Chilunjika et al 2020 ; Okereafor et al, 2020 ). As a measure to curb and manage the virus, COVID-19 patients need to be monitored after being discharged from quarantine centres to ensure that they fully recover to avoid reinfection.…”

“…Besides SMSs, African governments are also encouraging citizens to use toll-free numbers to ask questions on the virus and for a more proper diagnosis to curb unnecessary hospital visits. Countries including Zambia, Botswana and Malawi had functional call centres and hotlines during the time literature was reviewed ( Muzvidziwa-Chilunjika et al, 2020 ; UNICEF, 2020 ). However, worth noting is that setting up toll free numbers and public call centres is not enough, the effectiveness of these platforms heavily rely on government funds to ensure adequate staff and quality operation.…”

“…According to the Muzvidziwa-Chilunjika et al (2020) citing World Health Organization, 2020a , World Health Organization, 2020b noted that COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus which is believed to have first manifested in a Chinese province called Wuhan in December 2019 and has since spread throughout the world. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.…”

Sistem Cerdas Pendiagnosis Kecanduan Internet Yang Menggunakan Sistem Pakar Runut Mundur

“…Penggunaan jaringan internet menjadi semakin penting ketika COVID19 melanda seluruh dunia. Jaringan internet digunakan dalam bidang pendidikan [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] 27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32], kesehatan [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41], ekonomi dan pemasaran [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47] [48] [49], bahkan dalam kemudahan urusan bidang hukum [50] [51] [52] [53] [54] [55] [56] [57] [58].…”