Zimbabweans NHS staff who have lost their fight to COVID 19.

United Kingdom continues to lose lives as COVID 19 unleashes its fury across the world. Many have died and the NHS is struggling with the fight against the virus. The NHS itself is suffering loss of valuable workers as infection continues to wreak havoc. According to reports in the ITV more than 70% of carers believe colleagues will die if they become infected. 44% still do not have adequate PPE. Those statistics come after health secretary confirmed that 15 carers had already died due to COVID 19

This report serves to celebrate all the health workers who have including my fellow Zimbabwean who no one knows have also been on the frontline fighting to save lives. A few days ago, it was reported that a Zimbabwean k nurse, Khulisani Nkala, a charge nurse in forensic services at Leeds and York Partnership NDHS Foundation Trust had succumbed to COVID 19. His death comes after at least ten weeks after a research doctor had lost life in London.

Meanwhile at home there have been 28 reported cases or COVID 19 and the fourth death was also recorded.

DR Paul Matewele a senior lecturer and placement tutor for the School of Human Sciences was the first Zimbabwean victims known.

Single mother 45-year-old Rutendo Mukotsanjera originally from Zimbabwe, died of coronavirus on April 10. She leaves behind a 12-year-old daughter Chiedza. Rutendo stayed in Staffordshire and worked for Staffordshire NHS Trust.

Gardner Madzogo, died at Luton and Dunstable Hospital after contracting the virus.

Gladys Mujajati worked for Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. She was 46 and lived in Littleover, Derby. She had an underlying health condition and has stepped from frontline duties but had contracted the virus and died in hospital.

Brin Mfula, a nursing lecturer who taught thousands of frontline NHS staff died after contracting coronavirus. Mfula who was 51 taught mental health nursing at Swansea University and was described as an “inspiring teacher who taught from the heart”.

Khulisani Nkomo who worked Leeds and York NHS Partnership Foundation Truest was 46 years ols, he also died after contracting the virus.

grant Maganga died on 20 April at Tameside Hospital after 11 years as a nurse, as most recently at Hurst Place in Ashton-under-Lyne.

Grace Kungwengwe who also died of the virus worked for Lewisham and Greenwich HS Trust. She was a healthcare assistant together with Esther Akinsanya who also died of the virus.

Josephine Peter, a mother of 2 worked at Southport and Formby District General hospital where she had worked for 20 years on an agency contract. She died on 21 April.

As I write this the latest victim is Elsie Sazuze, a nurse at Burton House Nursing Home in Birmingham died after catching the virus. Elsie fell sill at home and was taken to Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield where she died on Tuesday.

We salute their good and selfless work as we remember them with great sadness and pride. May their dear souls rest in God’s eternal peace.