Malaria killing 3 percent of babies in BT
About 40 percent of residents in Blantyre suffer from malaria per year with three percent of babies dying from the disease, the district health office (DHO)has said.
Blantyre district health officer (DHO) Dr Medson Matchaya disclosed this on Tuesday when Total Malawi donated mosquito nets, gloves and glucometres to Ndirande Health Centre in commemoration of the World Malaria Day which falls on April 25.
He hailed Total Malawi for the support and called on the private sector players in the city to emulate the gesture by supporting the district’s health facilities in fighting the disease.
Said Matchaya: “Total Malawi has been supportive to the health sector in the district and we appreciate the kind gesture. We have a lot of companies in Blantyre which we believe if they came out to assist us like Total Malawi does, some health challenges faced in the district could not have been there.”
He called on residents to rush to the hospital whenever they fall sick.
Total Malawi managing director Seggie Kistasamy said the company is trying to make a difference by reaching out to many of the country’s less privileged.
“It breaks my heart to see people die of something that is preventable such as malaria when things as little as mosquito nets can make a difference. As Total Malawi, we feel we are part of the community and giving back to them is our social responsibility,” he said.
Kistasamy called on authorities to promote prevention to reduce infection, especially among mothers and children who are the most vulnerable.
Senior nursing officer Modester Mwagomba said the donation will go a long way in reducing unnecessary referrals to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital due to lack of proper equipment and severe malaria. n
