Dylan Bettencourt
Elderly Zimbaweans have been particularly badly hit by Covid.
Even before the pandemic struck, the elderly were very vulnerable. According to Zimbabwe’s National Statistics Agency, 80% of the elderly live in abject poverty.
But since Covid, care homes have been swamped with elderly victims of the disease.
Bothwell Sundire, a development expert in Masvingo, told The Guardian that care homes have seen a 60% increase since the first case of Covid-19 was detected in Zimbabwe in March last year.
The Guardian article noted it’s a source of pride for Zimbabwean communities that they take care of their elderly. But raging poverty and unemployment means the need for care homes is at an all-time high.
Previously, younger relatives would have preferred to look after their elders, but economic pressure and Covid often makes this even harder.
Those older than 65 are entitled to free healthcare but the lack of supplies and resources in local hospitals mean the elderly do not receive sufficient healthcare.
Five years ago, 86-year-old Domingo Zakani who was homeless and begging for food, was brought to a care home, but he has no family to take care of him.
“I would like to go home but all my relatives are gone. No one knows me anymore. I am just waiting for my day of death,” Zakani told The Guardian.
Image source: @News4Jax
