By Patrick Ndawala & Robert Nayeja
Plan Malawi has said it was committed to help government in the fight against Coronavirus which has hit hard the country and the rest of the world.
Plan Interim Programme Area Manager, Hilda Chizule told journalists in Liwonde Township on Tuesday when Plan International donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Machinga District Council.
Among others, the items included N95 masks safety goggles, Infrared Thermometers, gumboots, gloves, hand sanitizers, surgical cups, gowns, Ebola suits, reusable sanitary pads and chlorine.
According to Chizule the organization has donated such items in Mulanje, Blantyre, Kasungu, Blantyre and Mzuzu among other district hospitals.
“The procurement of PPE has costed us K78 million. The PPE will help health workers to prevent themselves from contracting the virus as they are assisting people. We are also working with government to train health workers, and also engage in civic education,” She added.
Chizule pointed out that the Covid-19 has affected people negatively in their social well being hence the organization’s support towards the fight against the pandemic.
Machinga District Director of Health Services (DHSS), Dr Arnold Kapachika praised Plan International for the timely support, saying the donation has filled some gaps that the district health office had in the fight against the pandemic.
He said the donations would not only help health workers but patients and guardians.
Kapachipa asked other organizations to emulate the good gesture Plan International has done.
He said the donation especially the thermometers would facilitate screening exercise which was very crucial in the fight against the pandemic.
“We still have some gaps and we wish we had more of the PPEs in readiness for the disease; all in all, we are very grateful to Plan Malawi for giving us these PPEs,” the DHSS said.
Kapachika said the district hospital has embarked on massive sensitization campaign with other stakeholders in the district.
He outlined activities the district health office has put in place as part of the fight against the pandemic.
“We are now conducting screening at the main entrance of the hospital. No one is allowed to enter hospital premises without being screened.
We are allowing only one guardian in wards and we have extended hand washing facilities to all health centers in the district. We have conducted sensitization meetings with all Area Development Committees,” Kapachika added.
He said the District Health Office together with the community was following up people who are coming from hotspots like South Africa and other countries which have been hit hard by the pandemic.-MANA
