MALAWI – The Ministry of Health has received cholera materials worth K54.7million (US$53,296) from the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) to help in the fight against cholera in the country.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, since it began last year, the outbreak has infected about 30,600 people and killed more than 1,700.

Receiving the donation in Lilongwe on Thursday, Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, commended the institution for the timely and huge donation of cholera materials.

“We are very grateful to the valuable donation as it would go a long way in the fight against cholera,” she said Chiponda urged the private sector to emulate the example MACRA had set by complementing efforts by the government in fighting the disease.

MACRA board member, Stella Chuthi, said the institution wanted to join hands with the government in saving lives of Malawians from cholera.

“We are committed to providing the necessary assistance to ensure that the fight against Cholera is won,” she said.

Chuthi added that the Authority has joined hands with the ministry in conducting awareness campaigns in both urban and rural areas so that people are aware of all precautions against the disease.

Macra Board member Stella Chuthi handsover cholera materials to Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda.

PIL joins fight against cholera

Petroleum Importers Limited (PIL) has joined the fight against cholera outbreak in the country by donating 1500 intravenous drips worth K4.5 million (US$4,384) to Blantyre District Health Office (DHO).

PIL is a consortium of four petroleum marketing companies namely Vivo of Engen Filling Stations, Puma, Total Energies, and Petroda.

PIL operations manager, Edmond Pingani said they decided to intervene as part of supporting the government in the fight against the pandemic which has claimed lots of lives in the country since last year.

“The Government is doing all it can to stop the pandemic through mass vaccinations, awareness campaigns and provision of medication and is overwhelmed. We believe as corporates, we have a role to play. We are aware that most hospitals are experiencing a shortage of medication to treat this outbreak resulting in more deaths.”

“The shortage of ORS, proper cholera treatment facilities, clean water and ringer’s lactate, antibiotics and many more drugs have made it very difficult for the hospitals to combat this disease,” said Pingani.

“This donation therefore is also in fulfilment of the commitment the PIL board of directors made to be socially responsive in times of emergencies and when need arises through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.”

Receiving the donation on behalf of Blantyre DHO, Pharmacy Technician Vuso Tembo commended PIL for the support saying the donation will go a long way in containing the rising cases as the items are one of the basic supplies required when treating cholera patients.

“We are so happy for this donation from PIL because ringer’s lactate is a must-have item when it comes to treatment of cholera cases. So, we cannot do without it.

Currently the cases are dropping but then the battle is still on. We believe it is because people are embracing the preventive measures and also interventions by other organizations in raising awareness on the same,” he said.

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