Zomba Central Hospital wants more Covid-19 help
Zomba Central Hospital director Mathias Joshua has said the facility is being side-lined in Covid-19 response.
He has since appealed to well-wishers to help the institution with personal protective equipment (PPE).
Joshua made the call on Thursday when they received PPE from Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust.
He said: “Covid-19 cases in the country are around 3 000, but the figure could be higher as we only test those with symptoms or were in contact with a confirmed case.
“There could be patients who have not been diagnosed with Covid-19, but meet health workers. So, we want more PPE to protect them.”
Before receiving the donation—a month’s supply of 4 000 N95 masks, 4 500 surgical masks, 5 000 aprons and three-month supply of 4 000 gloves— Joshua said the hospital had a PPE stock for two weeks.
He also said six health workers have tested positive for Covid-19 at the facility.
In her remarks,Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust head of operations Tamara Makawa said they want to help partner hospitals with equipment to cope with the pandemic.
She said Covid-19 has affected the trust as it has halted its community research.
“However, the positive side is that we use our resources and people to help fight Covid-19,” said Makawa.
She said the trust is providing Covid-19 diagnosis and its nurses and clinicians are working at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.
