P
ublic hospitals in the country have received a medical equipment and supplies boost courtesy of United States of America (USA)-based Smiling Surgeons and shipped in by The Patriots, a group of Malawians from diverse professions.
Speaking in Lilongwe last week during the handover of consignments for Likuni Mission Hospital and Bwaila Hospital, The Patriots chairperson Kamuzu Chibambo described the project as an important one that will see Malawi receiving 100 containers of life-saving equipment and supplies valued at $572 572 (about K1.3 billion) each.
He said the medical equipment and supplies were mobilised by the Malawi-USA diaspora community called Smiling Surgeons from Project Cure USA while a grouping of local Malawians called The Patriots are meeting shipping costs in the ongoing exercise and arranging for distribution to beneficiary hospitals nationwide.
Said Chibambo: “Other partners in this multi sectoral initiative are the Lions and Rotary Clubs. The first container was delivered to Zomba Central Hospital on October 29.
“These containers are earmarking all central hospitals, all district hospitals, faith-based hospitals, community hospitals and health centres. Each container is carrying life-saving equipment and supplies not less than K1.2 billion.”
Another hospital that has received its consignments so far is Nsanje District Hospital.
Chibambo said the initiative started in 2021 when Malawians here and in the USA got together and looked at the socio-economic challenges the country is facing and agreed to do something.
Receiving the supplies, Likuni Mission Hospital director Dr Jeremon Chiundira expressed gratitude, saying the medical supplies will serve the hospital for the next six months.
“Most of the items we have received are consumables. We have received syringes, IV fluids, medications, bandages, surgical supplies which are consumables which can serve us for at least six months. On average we treat about 120 patients in our outpatient department,” he said.
Other medical equipment that are being supplied through the project are beds, mattresses, trolleys, operating tables, chairs, desks, theatre beds and other essential machines used in hospitals.
