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Malawi Registering More Covid-19 Recoveries - Minister

Chiponda receiving the dummy check Chiponda receiving the dummy check - pic courtesy of NBM

Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda has pleaded with Malawians to seek medical treatment for Covid-19 saying the country is registering many recoveries.

Chiponda says 50% to 60% of patients in isolation centres have recovered which is an indication that many are recovering.

She spoke in an interview in Blantyre Tuesday when National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc presented a donation of K60 million to Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 which will go towards administration of oxygen therapy to Covid-19 patients.

Her call comes amid concerns that many are dying due to delay to seek medical treatment.

“As a minister, I want to give assurance that number of people that are recovering in isolation centres is more than 60%. People should be assured that they will get necessary help they need. Those who feel very tired and breathless should seek medical attention,” she said.

Chiponda who is Co-Chairperson for Presidential Task on Covid-19 said the country’s hospitals have enough beds and rooms for the course.

“We have enough bed capacity and rooms; you will be looked after. let’s not despair. We will get over this; our hospitals are ready,” she said.

Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda further hailed National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc for supporting government in fighting the pandemic.

“The bigger part of the treatment is oxygen therapy so we are so grateful for the donation of which part of it will be used to get ventilators. If there is a commodity which is really needed in fighting the Covid-19 it is the ventilators but also oximeters, machines which are used to measure oxygen levels in the body of Covid-19 patients,” said Chiponda.

NBM plc Chief Executive Officer, Macfussy Kawawa, told Zodiak Online the Bank felt duty bound to help government in fighting the pandemic.

“We are a major corporate, we have seen how the pandemic is affecting our staff, customers, suppliers and various other communities.

“So, when the President made a call for help, we felt duty bound to respond knowing that as an institution we also have a direct interest. Thus, we believe in helping fight the pandemic, we will help the nation and eventually we will be helping ourselves as well for our future growth,” he said.

According to Kawawa, besides the 60 million kwacha which will help with equipment for the administration of oxygen in patients, they have also contributed MK10 million to the social media driven called Citizen Initiative that will go towards procurement of supplies at various medical institutions.

He said they have pumped close to MK120 million towards Covid-19 response since last year.

“We will continue to spend to ensure our staff and customers are protected,” said Kawawa.

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