World Vision in Malawi, NICO Donates Medical Supplies to Kawale Health Centre
World Vision in partnership with NICO Group, a financial service provider, on Friday distributed assorted medical supplies to Kawale health centre in Lilongwe to help in the fight against cholera outbreak in the city.
The number of people killed by cholera has surpassed the 1000 mark with the presidential Task Force on Covid-19 and Cholera outbreak expressing concern.
As of Thursday, 26 January, 2023, 1,045 deaths were recorded which has exceeded 968 deaths that were recorded in 2002, making the current outbreak the worst in a decade. The number of comfirmed as of 26th January, 2023 is at 31, 832.
Task force co-chairperson, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, who is also minister of health has called for well-wishers to come in to support the outbreak.
Most of the health centres across the country do not have the required resources to support patients suffering from cholera. Most of the health facilities lack protective gear, tents, ORS, beds among others. World Vision in partnership with NICO Group of companies, has come in to cushion the situation.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, facility in charge for the health centre, Andrew Mphongolo, expressed his gratitude over the timely donation.
He said the items would boost the morale of health workers as the health centre is strained with cholera patients.
“We are grateful for the donation, Cholera has hit us hard. We are receiving almost fifteen patients in a day. The PPE will help to motivate the morale of health workers and the other essential items will help us to take care of the patients,” he said.
In his remarks, NICO Group’s subsidiary, NBS Bank, Chief Executive Officer, Kwanele Ngwenya, said that dealing with the outbreak requires concerted efforts.
“An outbreak like this is too big for one person to deal with. That’s why as private sector, as NICO group, we have stepped in to assist where possible. Cholera is a dangerous disease,” he said.
Ngwenya was quick to acknowledge the great partnership they have with World Vision. He said that NICO being in a financial service industry is not equipped in dealing with disaster management or relief.
“We provide financial support, they provide the boot on the ground. So that’s why partnerships works for us. We can’t go to the field to assist people but there are people like World Vision who have the skills and expertise to distribute the need,” he said.
National Director for World Vision Malawi, Francis Dube, said that while there is a need to address critical issues of Cholera preventions, the donation aims at providing treatment for the patients.
“We have to ensure that we send the right massage around hygiene and access to clean water. We are mindful that we are in the middle of the crisis right now. So while we are addressing prevention we are also addressing the treatment side. So we need women, we need children to have access to cholera prevention massages. We need them to have access to cholera treatment facilities,” said Francis.
The donation is worth 20 thousand dollars and they reached out to Zolozolo Health Centre in the north, Kawale Health Centre in the centre and Ndirande and Zingwangwa Health centres in the south.
By Daniel Nyanjagha (Freelancer)