Posted on 07/13/2004 5:00:47 AM PDT by Clive
The Zimbabwean government, which faces acute foreign currency shortages and a collapsing health sector, has introduced ox-drawn ambulances to ferry ill people to health centres in rural areas.
The main opposition party said the introduction of the ox-drawn ambulances, reported in the government media, was yet another indication of the "continuing collapse of institutions" in Zimbabwe under the weight of President Robert Mugabe's mismanagement.
"Zimbabwe is being dragged back to the stone age," said opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) spokesperson Paul Themba Nyathi.
The ox-drawn ambulances come after the bankrupt state-run National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) reportedly brought back steam locomotives, which had long fallen into disuse. The NRZ could not afford to run its modern electric and diesel locomotives.
Themba Nyathi said: "As long as we have Robert (Mugabe) and his gang around, we will not only end at ox-drawn ambulances, but we will see further deterioration in all aspects of life."
State media reports said the ox-drawn ambulances are a result of an initiative by the ministry of health, and are based on the commonly used ox-drawn scotch carts for rural transport. They would initially be used in at least 10 district councils around Harare to ferry ill people to hospitals.
The state-run Herald newspaper said communities would take charge of the ambulances, while a cart minder would be responsible for management and maintenance.
Health ministry officials said the ox-drawn carts were an act of desperation because there was no money to buy proper equipment.
"At many state hospitals, the only drug you will find is paracetamol. An ambulance will thus be a big luxury," said one official.
"Maybe these ox-drawn carts will help in reducing people dying in homes."
"They will either die on their way to the hospital or on arrival. That will save the families of the hassle of transporting dead bodies to mortuaries."
But Health Minister David Parirenyatwa was quoted by the Herald as saying the carts would make a great impact in reducing avoidable deaths.
Hey, maybe in 50-60 years, there will be enough vacant land there to establish a new, constitutional Republic. Either that, or we can trick the Libs into all moving there to try to "save" Africa.
"Genocide - the final stage of socialism!"
Power to the people!
And how many are left that know how to operate one properly? Even in top-notch condition, a steam engine boiler will explode if the water level isn't monitored and maintanined properly. This kind of failure is usually worse than a seam rupture, because it melts a hole in the bottom of the boiler, and the steam vents into the firebox, blowing the contents out the back, where the operator is standing.
Who is John Galt?
hmm...wondering if the ox have flashing lights. Their lowing could work as a siren I suppose.
You beat me to it, tacticalogic. I see low water explosions, crown sheet failures and other delights of poorly maintained steam boilers in the future of Zim. As if they needed any more troubles.
And a boiler explosion can wreak havoc all around. As a matter of coincidence, last night I was reading an old book by Robert Reed called "Train Wrecks - A Pictorial History of Accidents on the Main Line." Whole chapter on boiler explosions . . . lots of fatalities.
'Such are the perils of democracy.'
Are you calling Mugabe's government a democracy???
BTW, yes I am referring to it as a democracy.
From the CIA factbook:
Elections: election last held 9-11 March 2002 (next to be held NA March 2008);
election results: Robert Gabriel MUGABE reelected president; percent of vote - Robert Gabriel MUGABE 56.2%, Morgan TSVANGIRAI 41.9%
Actually I was referring to the South Africa comment.
"Next on the list, South Africa.
This is what happens when you let the lunatics run the asylum."
The 2002 election was so rife with fraud so as to make any claim of 'democracy' meaningless.
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