By Fredrick Manda, MANA
Minister of Information, Civic education and Communication Technology, Mark Botomani has asked Malawians to stop spreading fake news about Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Botomani was speaking on Tuesday in Nkhotakota District when he visited the district to appreciate the level of preparedness in the fight against the cases of COVID-19.
The minister, who is also a member of the special cabinet committee on COVID-19, was reacting to recent social media allegations that each member in the cabinet committee on COVID-19 draws an allowance of K600, 000 in every meeting.
“No member of the special cabinet committee on COVID-19 has ever drawn allowances since the committee was appointed by His Excellency the President, that was fake news and it remains fake.
“It is not only lies about allowances, but there are so many fake and exaggerated things about the Coronavirus; let us take this issue seriously. It is a crisis which we need to take as such,” he said.
He said the government is much committed to mobilise resources to deal with COVID-19 than drawing allowances as some people claim.
The minister has since advised members of the media to help fight the dissemination of fake news about the COVID-19 that he said could negatively affect many people.
Botomani further said he was impressed by Nkhotakota District on COVID-19 preparedness.
He appreciated Nkhotakota District Health Office and stakeholders for their dedication, good structures and activities put up in the district in the wake of Coronavirus.
The minister further urged the district authorities to increase dissemination of information so that messages about preventive measures on COVID-19 can go down to the rural masses.
He then said government would soon start supplying more Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) in districts across the country.
Nkhotakota Director of Health and Social Services, Wezzie Mumba said the district was well prepared to contain the spread of the virus in the district.
She said the hospital has started screening people who come in the district through ship. So far, she said they have screened 278 people.
Malawi has so far recorded 16 cases of COVID-19 with two deaths. Nkhotakota itself has registered one case.
