Health

Chief leads Covid fight

When Malawi first got to know about the coronavirus, Malawians did not expect the disease to find its way into their very community.

But with the global movement of people, the virus has spread across the world, with the country of 18 million people confirming its first case on April 2.

Kawinga (L) washes hands with soap as his colleague looks on

Ever since, the Ministry of Health has recorded 16 deaths from 1342 cases.

In Malawi, where the majority of people live under the leadership of their traditional leaders, it was inevitable for chiefs to get involved in the fight against the pandemic.

One of the custodians of culture whose community eventually got affected by the virus is Paramount Chief Kawinga of Machinga.

“When cases of coronavirus were reported in my community, my subjects received the news with both fear and caution. Mobile markets and initiation ceremonies were stopped,” says the chief, whose territory has 79 traditional authorities (T/As), sub-T/As and senior chiefs.

As for local leaders, he says they are making an effort to practise preventive measures in their local courts, at funerals and during rallies.

“We have encouraged people to gather in numbers of less than 100,” he says. “We are following all health procedures where we are enhancing social distancing and hand washing. The traditional and religious leaders have been supportive of the initiative.”.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), with support from UK Aid, mobilised chiefs from six districts, including Machinga, and oriented them on coronavirus disease (Covid-19) prevention.

The United Nations (UN), through the European Union-funded Spotlight Initiative, is currently scaling out the orientation and awareness activities and are reaching more traditional authorities and chiefs at the village head level.

Chief Kawinga, however, bemoans that although he and his subjects are doing their best to tackle the fast-spreading virus discovered in China in December 2019, political rallies disrupted their efforts and now people have not been as keen in taking precautionary measures.

He stated that, currently, there are about 30 Covid-19 cases in his area whose subjects had recently travelled to other countries especially South Africa.

Besides the 30 that are being visited daily by health personnel, there are also 22 others whose samples were taken and are in self-quarantine while waiting for the results.

The chief also said out of the 30, one has recovered.

Besides these numbers, he also mentioned about five young people who bolted upon being asked to travel to Machinga from Mwanza border.

Kawinga explains: “One challenge that has emerged is that people who recently travelled from South Africa and are supposed to be on quarantine are roaming around in anonymity.

“When they tested positive at Mwanza border, they were told to report to Machinga District Hospital, but they never did.”

He says this is basically because many fear discrimination and stigmatisation.

“Health workers and Machinga District Council are doing their best with my support to look for these travellers as they pose a health risk,” he adds.

However, Kawinga is not giving up on the fight against Covid-19 and stigma associated with the disease.

The traditional leader says with his leadership, they are enhancing awareness campaigns to deal with stigma, discrimination and ignorance about the facts of the disease.

Kawinga is personally using various platforms including WhatsApp, religious platforms and other opinion leaders in his area to raise awareness.

“One of the issues we are dealing with is the lack of concern towards the spread of the disease. Many do not even want to wear face masks or observe social distancing. These are some of the issues that I and my subjects are trying to deal with,” he says.

The traditional leader calls upon the government to enhance sensitisation campaigns, provide free face masks and infrared thermometers to all local leaders in the country.

On education, he asked the government to put in more restrictive measures if it reopens schools.

“The Government should consider introducing shifts with intensive hand washing and social distancing,” said Kawinga, adding that re-opening of schools will help protect the youngsters from indulging in drug and sexual abuse due to boredom.

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