Malawi Health Committee demands action on Ebola
The Health Committee of Malawi Parliament has asked government to do more preparedness by, among others, procuring protective equipment for health workers in the event of cases of the deadly Ebola virus entering the country’s borders.
Chairperson of the committee Juliana Lunguzi said it is time government came out in the open on the strategic measures which have been put in place, especially at border hospitals which would be the first to handle a suspected case of Ebola.
The viral disease has so far killed 1 013 people in mostly West African countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Liberia, but ministers of Health of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) have since agreed to mobilise relevant various sectors to work together to increase awareness and understanding of the Ebola situation to ensure optimum preparedness and response in this region.
Sadc has designated South Africa as the centre of excellence in Ebola laboratory diagnosis for the region while identifying and committing additional funding to support preparedness for the outbreak.
But Lunguzi has said this is not enough and Malawi should prepare its own central referral laboratory by equipping it with all the necessary reagents to confirm cases of Ebola in the event that the country receives a suspected case of the deadly viral disease.
“I know we are being vigilant, but there is still more that needs to be done. Is the protective equipment ready? What is the level of preparedness at health facilities, especially those near the borders? Has the general public been alerted on the need to intensify hygiene? All these things are very important,” Lunguzi said.
She added: “The health workers are also afraid, especially after learning that Nigeria is losing some of its healthcare providers to this disease. Some have even said they will leave the hospital if Malawi would get a case, so the issue of protective equipment is very important.”
Sadc, through World Health Organisation (WHO), has also asked all member States to identify health facilities to be used in the event of an outbreak.
Ministry of Health spokesperson Henry Chimbali said there are initial protective supplies which would come in handy if Malawi would get a suspected case of Ebola.
“Health workers know what they are supposed to do. But we are currently mobilising funds from Treasury to beef up these supplies. Combating this disease needs financial and technical support,” said Chimbali.
The Ministry of Health has designated two holding rooms with a bed each and a quarantine room at international airports in case of a suspected case of Ebola coming through the entry point and health workers at these ports have all the necessary equipment
