NGOs support Mulanje DHO on Covid-19
Mulanje district director of health and social services Alinafe Kalanga has commended non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for donating assorted items to the district hospital.
The official made the remarks on Tuesday during a presentation on Public Health Emergency Management Committee (Phemc) meeting held to give an update on the district’s preparedness in the wake of Covid-19.
Kalanga said the hospital received infrared thermometers, cartons of soap, buckets, basins and portable oxygen concentrator.
“Others have provided fuel for Covid-19 awareness campaign. Ministry of Health has contributed 7 650 N95 masks and 60 personal protective equipment,” she said.
Kalanga said through the donations, they have enhanced hand-washing in the district’s 23 health centres, reduced visiting time to one visit per day during the lunch hour, one guardian per patient and no guardian is allowed to eat at the hospital.
She said: “We are screening travellers at Muloza Border. So far, we have screened 97.
“We have enhanced self-quarantine and follow-up of individuals coming from hot spot countries such as United Kingdom and Republic of South Africa. To that effect, nine people are on check.
“No symptom has been detected so far from both screening at the border and self-quarantine travellers.”
Mulanje Red Cross district coordinator Innocent Chikuni said despite the efforts, there was need to decongest hospitals to maximise effectiveness of other measures put in place.
The hospital received assorted supplies from Baylor College of Medicine, Children Foundation, Organised Network for Everyone’s Health, Adventist Development Relief Agency, Eastern Produce Malawi, World Vision Malawi, Malawi Red Cross Society, Drug Response Enhancement Aids and Malnutrition and Plan International.
