As the fight towards Covid-19 rages on, Save the Children International (SCI) has donated assorted items to M’mbelwa district council to enhance the district’s fight against the novel corona virus pandemic.
The items included 35 push bicycles, hand washing materials like hand sanitizers, chlorine, water buckets and also personal protective equipment like face masks.
Speaking after the handover ceremony on Friday at Mzimba district hospital, Director of Operations for Save the Children, Frank Mwafulirwa said they wanted to complement the district’s efforts in the fight against the pandemic.
He said that his organization is supporting government in its fight against the pandemic in the districts of Phalombe Mwanza Neno, Ntcheu and Mzimba.
“As Save the Children we wanted to complement in the fight against Covid-19 specifically in areas of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), education and child protection including community mobilization,” said Mwafulirwa.
He then commended their partner the World Bicycle Relief for the donation of 100 bicycles which will be distributed to Ntcheu, Phalombe and Mzimba.
“The bicycles will actually solve mobility problems that community health workers like the Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) and child protection workers find during their course of work,” he explained.
In his remarks Mzimba district Director for Health and Social Services (DHSS) Lumbani Munthali said the gesture was timely as the fight towards the pandemic is becoming tougher.
“A special mention should go to Save the Children, for the unwavering support rendered to Mzimba hospital as the fight against Covid-19 rages on,” said Munthali.
He said apart from the MK65million that government supported M’mbelwa District council to fight Covid-19 partners have also supported the district with capacity building for health workers and volunteers, and various medical equipment.
“I would like to applaud other partners as well for the support rendered to us as we continue working tirelessly to stop the spread of Covid-19 pandemic,” said Munthali.
He later confirmed that the district is yet to register a covid-19 case,
“Mzimba South District hospital has not yet received any single case of Covid-19 since April 02 when the country reported its first three case of corona virus,” he said.
He said all health centers are strictly adhering to Covid-19 prevention measures including monitoring of patients as directed by the Ministry of health.
Speaking on behalf of Mzimba District Commissioner, Thomas Mwafongo called on both community health workers and child protection workers to utilize the donation for its intended purposes.
“The bicycles that we are witnessing today should be used towards achieving the main objective as we all fight the spread of the corona virus,” said Mwafongo adding that anyone found abusing the materials will be disciplined.
Source: Malawi News Agency
