Ministry of Health has assured prison authorities in the country that they would support them in mitigating the effects of COVID-19.

Minister of Health, Khumbize Chiponda made the remarks Wednesday in Lilongwe when she presided over K300 million donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Ministry of Homeland Security to distribute to all prisons in the country from a grant provided by Global Fund at Maula Prison.

“We know that it is very difficult for inmates to keep in touch with the recommended preventive measures like washing hands regularly, maintaining social distance and wearing of masks in such situation. We only encourage you that wherever possible try to observe them regularly,” Chiponda said.

The Minister said the donation include examination gloves, surgical masks, N95 masks and 50,000 hand sanitizers.

Minister of Homeland Security, Jean Sendeza thanked the Ministry of Health for providing the timely donation of PPE which would go a long way to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 in all prisons in the country.