SA deploys 25-member medical team to Malawi
South Africa has deployed a 25-member medical team to support Malawi in treating people affected by floods that hit the country three weeks ago.
The team arrived on Saturday through Chileka International Airport in Blantyre and has so far treated people in Chikwawa District, one of the worst hit.
Their arrival follows the first South African mission of seven which arrived on March 13 to assess the situation.
Briefing journalists in Blantyre yesterday, Colonel Wandile Wiseman Mda, the operation mission commander, said their team comprises medical officers, paramedic and environment officers and are working in all districts affected.
The team is also transporting humanitarian support to hard-to-reach areas using their helicopter.
“We have seen people who are in need of medications, so we are screening them and giving them proper treatment. So far, we have visited Chikwawa district,” said Mda.
Common diseases affecting displaced people in camps are malaria, scabies and diarrhoea.
Commenting on the arrival of South Africa team, Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) Principal Secretary and Commissioner Wilson Moleni said the medical area is now fully addressed in the recovery.
He said: “All areas affected would need medical support. We have about 184 000 families affected meaning there is a need to reach all those people.”
Moleni said all camps affected will be visited by the South Africa team.
President Peter Mutharika declared a State of National Disaster following the disaster that hit hard 15 of the country’s 28 districts and killed 56 people in the country. The number of affected districts has since reached 17.
