Likoma district director of health services Gracewell Mathewe has commended The Patriots for supporting the district with medical equipment and supplies.
The K2.5 billion worth of donation, funded by Project Cure in the United States, Islamic Relief and other partners, is part of a larger consignment of 40 containers destined for hospitals nationwide.
Mathewe said: “You can have proper facilities and a good number of health workers but if you do not have proper equipment and supplies, you cannot provide proper services to the people.
“The donation has come at the right time and will address the gaps that we have.”
He said they will train healthcare workers on how to use the equipment and document them to ensure their safety.
Mathewe said the equipment will be distributed to health facilities on Chizumulu and St Peters Community Hospital on Likoma.
The Patriots representative Ken Tembo said they wanted to complement government’s effort in improving healthcare services in Likoma District.
He appealed to the district health office to ensure that the equipment serve the people of the district.
On his part, Likoma legislator Charles Chilambula thanked The Patriots for the support.
He pledged to donate K2.9 million to transport the equipment from Nkhata Bay to Likoma.
Traditional Authority Mkumpha of Likoma said he will work with the health centres to ensure that the equipment is not misused.
The Patriots is a group comprising Malawian professionals and members of the diaspora who solicit medical supplies and equipment to support the country’s health facilities.
