By Mary Makhiringa, MANA
Germany Ambassador to Malawi, Juergen Borsch hailed health workers in the country for tirelessly working in the fight against the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
He said the dedication from health workers cannot go unnoticed, saying the health workers put their own lives at risk in an attempt to save others.
Borsch was speaking on Thursday in Balaka when he donated infection prevention materials to Balaka District Health Office.
“We have come to make this donation to Balaka as a way of thanking our partners. We have been working with them for a long time through German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ),” he said, adding that, “We want to show our gratitude to the tremendous job they do.”
“Malawi cannot manage to lose health workers, because we need every hand in the fight against the pandemic. That is why we are here to make this donation so that the frontline workers are protected,” the Ambassador added.
Borsch said nobody has the golden rule or the silver bullet towards the virus as it was a new one, noting that all that was required was to join forces globally and exchange bench marks to fight against the virus.
According to the Envoy, Covid-19 has some positive news as it was not so contagious as Ebola or Cholera.
“This pandemic is not as contagious as some diseases; we have learnt that it is not airborne. If you keep social distance, if you wash your hands thoroughly and if you wear a mask, you can protect yourself from contracting the virus,” he said.
Director of Health and Social Services (DHSS) for Balaka, Dr. Eugene Katenga-Kaunda thanked GIZ for the timely donation, saying the donation would go a long way in helping the health workers to protect themselves from the virus.
“We still have gaps especially training of all health workers and it is our plea that others come in to assist us to have all the health workers in the district trained,” he noted.
Kaunda disclosed that at least 16 people were currently in self-quarantine and being closely monitored by the hospital in the district.
Apart from Balaka, GIZ has made a similar donation to Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH), Ntcheu District Hospital and they are expected to donate to Zomba Central Hospital.
