By Sithandweyinkosi Mpofu

Fifteen patients are currently admitted at Kwekwe General Hospital fighting silicosis, a respiratory disease amidst shortages of oxygen at the institution.

The revelation was made by the hospital’s acting Medical Superitendant Dr Bruce Mhondiwa on Friday at a health workers symposium.

“We currently  have 15 silicosis patients and we are struggling to provide oxygen for the patients,”  said Dr Mhondiwa.
Dr Mhondiwa said the patients are fighting for their life and they are surviving on life support.

He said most of the patients are miners who do not prioritise safety in their activities and the hospital has since engaged stakeholders in the sector to raise awareness on silicosis which does not have a cure.

“There is no cure for silicosis.
Silicosis is becoming a very big problem in Kwekwe and as you know Kwekwe is surrounded by small towns that are doing mining activities and the disease affects small scale miners.

We are engaging the National Social Security Authority and other stakeholders to help educate small scale miners on how to protect themselves against the deadly silicosis disease as they are the most affected,” he said.