Red Cross to train health volunteers in Machinga

Malawi Red Cross Society volunteer and membership specialist Elliot Nazombe says the organisation plans to train community volunteers in Machinga to administer oral rehydration  to suspected cholera patients.

He said this on Wednesday during a district civil protection committee meeting at Machinga District Council.

Nazombe said they will engage 60 community volunteers, 20 health surveillance assistants (HSAs) and other partners on how to manage cholera outbreaks.

“The training will also enable the volunteers to put in place a referral system agreed upon by the community,” he said.

Machinga District Hospital environmental health officer Fortune Nazombe said the country responds late to issues affecting people’s lives due to poor preparations. 

He said: “Many people in the country are dying because of seeking treatment very late.

“That is why we commend the initiative because it will provide first aid treatment.”

The volunteers and HSAs are from the areas surrounding health centres such as Mposa, Namanja, Ntholowa, Mbanila and Nayuchi.

The training is part of the roadmap launched in 2017 by the Global Task Force for Cholera Control and Elimination.