Sex workers donate PPE to Dedza District Hospital

Sex Workers Association of Dedza has donated personal protective equipment (PPE) to the district hospital.

The donation included gloves, N-95 and cloth masks.

Speaking during the handover on Tuesday at Dedza Boma, the association’s chairperson Alice Matambo said they wanted to enhance the hospital’s efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

She said: “There are at least 300 registered sex workers in Dedza and Covid-19 affects most of us, especially when precautionary measures indicate that drinking joints should not operate beyond certain times.

“When this happens, most clients stop patronising entertainment places which affects our business.”

Matambo said they decided to ask for the supplies from Medicins Sans Frontiers to donate to the hospital to contain the spread of the disease.

Dedza District Hospital pharmacist Jones Pensulo said the PPE will protect frontline healthcare workers in the line of their duty.

“I urge other well-wishers to emulate the example set by the association,” he said.

Pensulo said Dedza District Health Office plans to screen critical people for Covid-19, including inmates in prisons.

As of Wednesday, the country had cumulatively registered 87 514 Covid-19 cases and 2 669 deaths.