Improve Mental Health System-KCH Director Asks Gvt

Dr Ngoma- There is need for the country’s mental health system to be improved Dr Ngoma- There is need for the country’s mental health system to be improved

Kamuzu Central Hospital Director Dr. Jonathan Ngoma has emphasized the need for the country’s mental health system to be improved especially now when COVID19 front line health workers need psychosocial assistance more than ever.

Dr. Ngoma said this when the Malawi UK Military Community (MUMCO) donated personnel protective equipment for Karonga and Dedza isolation centres with the hope of bringing to a decline the number of health workers testing positive for Coronavirus.

What came out clear during the handover ceremony held in Lilongwe was that it is impossible to predict when the pandemic will come to an end, as the demand for health services is outweighing the availability of both resources and personnel.

This according to Dr. Ngoma has a physical, emotional, and mental effect on the healthcare workers.

“We need to speak to them before they begin their shift, we need to interact with them while they are there. Finally, when they are off and isolating we need to keep in touch with them,” Said Dr. Ngoma

With COVID19 cases rising, health care workers continue facing numerous challenges especially in accessing medical equipment, a problem that has existed long before the pandemic.

President for the Society of Medical Doctors Dr. Victor Mithi says the body is currently looking into measures to ensure medical practitioners are not only protected but also have enough resources.

“It is saddening that over 280 health workers have contracted the virus…We are looking into measures to ensure that our frontline workers have enough medical equipment and also know how to use them,” Dr. Mithi.

For some time, health workers have been taking various steps such as strikes in a bid to force authorities to provide them with adequate resources particularly Personal Protective Equipment.

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Last modified on Friday, 24/07/2020

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