Zimbabwe struggles with shortage of 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.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: AFP