Zimbabwe confirms First Coronavirus Case!

Associated Press JOHANNESBURG (AP) -  Zimbabwe has confirmed its first case of the coronavirus as the pandemic reaches a health system that has nearly collapsed amid an economic crisis. The health minister says the infected man lives in Victoria Falls, one of Africa's most visited tourist destinations. Meanwhile, two major African airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and South African Airways, are canceling international flights over the coronavirus. And the continent's busiest airport says foreigners cannot disembark. Thirty-nine of Africa's 54 countries now have confirmed virus cases totalling over 900. South Africa's cases have jumped to 202, the most in the sub-Saharan region.

Anxiety is rising in Africa's richest nation as South Africa says coronavirus cases have jumped to 202, the most in the sub-Saharan region. The continent's busiest airport, in Johannesburg, says foreigners will not be allowed to disembark. And state-owned South African Airways is suspending all international flights until June. South Africa's government earlier announced travel restrictions and declared a national disaster. Thirty-seven countries in Africa have confirmed virus cases totalling over 800. So far most cases have been linked to overseas travel, but Niger's first patient had traveled in four West African capitals.

SGA Security Comes to the Rescue of Abandoned Patients at MOI

In response to appeal in both mainstream and social media, the largest and oldest security company in the Tanzania, SGA Security, responded with donations. 

These were presented on 21^st July 2017 to the management of Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute(MOI) and received by the Director of Nursing – Ms. MF Kimaro. She expressed their gratitude to SGA for being the first to respond to the plight of the patients.  

 Security Group Africa Group (SGA),Managing Director, Eric Sambu (right) handing over donations worth 2.5m/- to the Nursing Director at the Bone Institute (Moi), Ms. Flora Kimaro during a special visit to patients.

The donations included foodstuff, sanitary items and wheel chairs, all valued at TZS.2.5 Million. The SGA Customer and Public Relations Manager, Ms. Aikande Makere, explained that it is their practice to support community initiatives, in line with their corporate social responsibility. 

SGA has health and safety core theme and that extends to the public. She explained that she heard the appeal and felt that they needed to chip in and called upon other institutions to follow suit. “The patients belong to all of us and we have to shoulder this responsibility, as a society, jointly”, she added.

Mr. Jumaa Tram Almasi, MOI’s Manager, Welfare& Public Relations Unit expressed gratitude to SGA Security for choosing their institution to make the donation. “As you might be aware, treatment of the destitute patients is costly and we cannot do it alone, that is, provision of both medical and social needs. 

We need support from Well-Wishers and Good Samaritans to support us”, he said. “Patients dumped by their relatives add a strain in the already overloaded health services. 

The support from SGA security is timely and a stitch in time. We kindly urge the rest to support us through their CSR Programs”, he added.

SGA Security Managing Director, Mr. Eric Sambu, explained that they have spent over TZS.55 million this year on CSR programs, with a few activities remaining before end of the year. He explained that being part of the society, they always decide on areas to provide support as a way of giving back to the public.

 He was there with the ambulance team and guards during the presentation. They visited the patients in wards to give them a word of encouragement.

Security Group Africa Group (SGA),Managing Director, Eric Sambu (right) handing over donations worth 2.5m/- to the Nursing Director at the Bone Institute (Moi), Ms. Flora Kimaro during a special visit to patients.

SGA Security was the first Private Security Company registered in Tanzania in 1984, as Group Four Security, following deregulation of the sector from Government control. Today, after more than 33 years of successful operations, SGA is the largest private security company in Tanzania, represented in every service area in the sector. Employing about 5,000 employees in Tanzania and over 18,500 in the region, SGA is one of the largest employers in the region.

Speaking during the presentation at MOI, the Managing Director, Mr. Eric Sambu, said that they aid to entrench corporate citizenship by playing bigger role in the society as they strive to continuously add value to their customers. 

SGA recently launched a new fleet of ultra-modern and fully-equipped armored vehicles to provide alarm response services and cash in transit services in the country. SGA provides a full spectrum of integrated security services, which ensures that its clients enjoy a cost-effective interfusion of manpower and technology, safeguarding their personal and business assets, wherever they may be located. “We are presently updating skillsets for all our employees to empower deliver our promises in line with our mission. 

The training cuts across all cadres and facilitators are from all sectors, including our disciplined forces.”, he added. In addition to donations like this, SGA conducts free awareness training to selected public to improves health and safety in the society. They recently completed such training to bodaboda riders that covered 230 riders. They also donated reflective jackets and helmets after the awareness training.

Mr. Sambu continued to explain that SGA is the largest provider of Cash in Transit and Cash Management services in Tanzania and the provider of choice for over 85 Banks and Financial Institutions in the East Africa region. Our large fleet of fully armoured CIT vehicles visit over 750 bank branches in Tanzania, safely moving tens of billions of shillings, millions of kilometres each year. 

All our Cash Management services are fully insured through reputable, internationally renowned insurers. Our expertise extends to the Diplomatic and NGO sectors with over 65 Embassies and Development Aid clients in the region. We understand the specific risk profile of these clients and have specifically trained staff for these.

Fedha za Hafla ya Bunge Zinunue Vitanda Muhimbili: Rais Magufuli

Baada ya kulihutubia na kulizindua bunge la 11 la Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania Dkt JOHN POMBE MAGUFULI amehudhuria hafla fupi iliyoandaliwa kwa ajili ya wabunge katika viwanja vya Bunge Mjini Dodoma na kuagiza fedha zilizochangwa kwa ajili ya kugharamia hafla hiyo zipelekwe Katika Hospitali ya Taifa Muhimbili kwa ajili ya kununulia vitanda vya wagonjwa.

Mheshimiwa Magufuli ametoa agizo hilo baada ya kupokea taarifa kuwa wadau mbalimbali wamechanga kiasi cha shilingi milioni 225 kwa ajili ya kugharamia hafla ya wabunge katika siku ya uzinduzi wa Bunge.

Dkt Magufuli amesema alipata taarifa za kuwepo kwa michango hiyo ya fedha na kutoa maelekezo kuwa zitumike kwa kiasi kidogo kwa ajili ya hafla hiyo na sehemu kubwa zipelekwe katika Hospitali ya Taifa ya Muhimbili ili zikatumike kununulia vitanda na hivyo kupunguza tatizo la wagongwa wanaolala chini kutokana na uhaba wa vitanda unaikabili hospitali hiyo.

“Nilipoambiwa kwamba zimechangwa shilingi milioni 225 zimekusanywa kwa ajili ya sherehe, nikasema fedha hizo zipelekwe katika hospitali ya Taifa Muhimbili zikasaidie kununua vitanda” alisema Dkt Magufuli na kusisitiza kuwa “kwa kufanya hivyo tutakua tumejinyima sisi wenyewe lakini tutakua tumewanufaisha wenzetu ambao wanamatatizo makubwa yanayoweza kutatuliwa kwa fedha hizo”.

Awali akitoa taarifa ya michango hiyo Ofisa wa Spika wa Bunge Bwana SAID YAKUBU amesema jumla michango iliyopatikana na shilingi milioni 225 na kwamba fedha zilizotumika katika hafla hiyo ni shilingi milioni 24 tu baada ya kuzingatia maagiza ya Rais Magufuli.

Katika Hafla hiyo Rais Magufuli amekabidhi vyeti vya kutambua mchango wa wadau waliochangia fedha wakiwemo Benki za NMB, CRDB na Benki ya Afrika pamoja na Mifuko ya Hifadhi ya Jamii ya PSPF na PPF.

Gerson Msigwa

Kaimu Mkurugenzi wa Mawasiliano IKULU

November 20, 2015