Mzuzu Central Hospital steps up Covid-19 preps

Mzuzu Asian Business Community has renovated an isolation facility at Mzuzu Central Hospital (MCH) in preparation for the management of coronavirus (Covid-19) cases.

The facility was originally meant to be an isolation camp for suspected Ebola cases.

Speaking on Thursday when the community donated personal protective equipment (PPE), Mzuzu Asian Business Community coordinator Rashid Bano said they have maintained toilets, the roof and walls, among others, using K4 million.

He said: “We had a request from Mzuzu Central Hospital as regards to the facility though we have not recorded any case. Their idea was that we should not wait for a disaster to happen. And we thought it prudent to help so that we are not caught unawares.”

MCH administrator Timothy Soko said the facility has the capacity to accommodate 10 confirmed cases of Covid-19.

He said the facility has self-contained rooms as well as a changing room, pharmacy, storeroom, steam steriliser room and conference rooms.

“The Asian business community has been very supportive to the hospital. And this support is worthwhile. But we need more support in terms of protective wear for our health workers,” he said.

The facility was constructed by government with support from the World Bank.