A team comprising medical staff from the Midlands State University’s Faculty of Medicine has successfully conducted Zimbabwe’s first-ever caesarian section delivery on a COVID-19 patient.
The historic delivery was conducted at Gweru Provincial Hospital under strict infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.
The new mother is one of four COVID-19 patients in the Midlands Province who were in quarantine after returning to Zimbabwe. However, on a positive and cheerful note, both the mother and baby are well and will spend the next few days in an isolation room under strict observation.
Commenting on the development, the MSU Dean of Medicine, Dr Reginald Matacha-Hove, paid tribute to the partnership between MSU and Gweru Provincial Hospital led by the Medical Superintendent Dr Fabian Mashingaidze and applauded all medical personnel for their benevolent spirit and work ethic as they continue to work on the frontline.
‘I commend the team for their dedication, professionalism and teamwork’, said Dr Matacha-Hove.
The obstetrician who carried out the successful operation was Dr Johannes Mukwembi of the MSU Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the attending anaesthetists were Dr Tafadzwa Mutukwa and Dr Prince Tineyi Murambi from the Department of Anaesthesia, while the paediatrician was Dr Tichasvika Mwoyofiri of the Department of Paediatrics.
To the new mother, her family, relatives and friends our warmest congratulations.