A total of 40 out of the 45 passengers injured in the Gweru bus accident last Wednesday have been discharged, while the other five are recovering after undergoing surgery.
The swift reaction by rescue authorities and the medical teams at Gweru Provincial Hospital after the accident saved lives despite the severe injuries to some of the passengers after the bus crash.
The hospital’s Acting Medical Superintendent, Dr Johannes Mukwembi outlined some of the life-saving procedures his team administered on the injured patients.
“We received a total of 45 patients soon after the accident. Five were critical while 40 required some slight attention. We managed to attend to all the 45 patients and 40 were safe to be discharged after some medical attention.Three of the critical patients had to be amputated and I can safely say all the major procedures are through now and the patients are responding well to the medication. One of the patients has been transferred to Harare for further examination there after a family request and everything is under control,” Dr Mukwembi said.
The government hailed the remarkable work by medical personnel after the accident, indicating the Second Republic’s determination to achieve universal health coverage, while necessary logistics to assist the injured and bereaved families are being put in place.
“As government, we are happy with what we saw and heard at the hospital ward. I managed to speak to some of the patients and they assured me that they are getting the best healthcare from our practitioners. We have systems in place and everything is progressing smoothly. I want to thank our medical team and encourage them to continue with the good works,” Deputy Minister of Health and Childcare, Honourable Sleiman Kwidini noted.
“Our investigations have so far indicated that the bus was insured and as such, they are the ones to cover the medical bills to those recuperating in hospital. We are also working with a local funeral insurance company to provide the necessary logistics for the burials of those who sadly lost their lives in the accident.
We are keeping a keen eye to ensure that we chip in when the need arises,” Ministry of Local Government and Public Works’ Acting Provincial Director Mr Charlton Murove said.
A Hungwe Coaches bus from Botswana which was heading to Harare overturned at a roundabout near Fairmile Hotel, killing six people while 45 others were injured.
