Mota Engil Construction Company in Malawi has pledged K48 million (about $192 000) drugs to Mzuzu, Zomba, Kamuzu and Queen Elizabeth central hospitals to help address problem of drug shortages in the referral hospitals.
Speaking on Saturday in Lilongwe during the handover of the second consignment of the drugs to the hospitals, Mota Engil chief executive officer (Africa) Gilberto Rodrigues said they expect to deliver the last K28 million (about $112 000) worth of drugs around September.
“The first round of the drugs worth about K10 million [about $40 000] was delivered in March. The second round is also worth K10 million. The hospitals asked for quinine and other drugs for specialists.
“We believe that our participation in the country is not just in construction of projects to achieve growth. We also have an obligation on social responsibility,” said Rodrigues.
He said Mota Engil is also sponsoring rehabilitation of Chancy Maples ship to resume sailing on Lake Malawi and provide health-care services to people around the shores from mid next year.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr. Charles Mwansambo said apart from malaria drugs, the consignment also includes antibiotics and anticancer drugs, among others.
“We are putting in place tight systems in our hospitals to check drug pilferage. We will put these drugs to maximum use to improve on quality of service provided to patients,” said Mwansambo.
