Illovo Sugar Malawi has donated assorted items worth K40 million to Kasinthula COVID-19 Isolation Center in Chikwawa.

The items include building materials, patient monitoring and support equipment.

General Manager for Illovo Sugar Nchalo Estate, Geof Trott, says the donation is in response to COVID-19 which has affected the company in many aspects and individuals hence the need to join hands in the fight against the pandemic.

Trott also said his company notes that the surrounding community is facing difficulties due to COVID-19

He says, “Illovo Nchalo Estate relies on labour force from the surrounding community hence the donation.”

In his remarks when receiving the donation, Director of Health and Social Services for Chikwawa Dr Stallin Zimkanda commended the company saying the impact of COVID-19 is multisectoral and should be tackled from all angles. He, however, urged people to stop listening to fake news about COVID-19 on social media.

Dr Zimkanda says, “The fake news has prompted many people to stop trusting the medical personnel. COVID-19 Isolation0 centres are units for recovery and not death as others are speculating.”

At this point, he encouraged people with symptoms of COVID-19 to go to the hospitals for assistance.

As of February 9, Chikwawa had registered 200 cumulative COVID-19 cases, 132 recoveries and 15 deaths.