Receiving the donation on Friday, Mulanje District Nursing Officer Flossy Fatchi said the equipment are crucial at the COVID-19 treatment ward as they assist breathing to patients with breathing difficulties.

"The support we are receiving from the private sector and non-governmental organizations towards COVID-19 management is overwhelming and we really thank them for their gestures," said Fatchi.

Fatchi is however worried with a reduced number of patients coming to the hospital following misconceptions on COVID-19 that once they come to the hospital, they will be forced to get tested of COVID-19 and even injected coronavirus.

"Am afraid, we might be breeding different diseases in our communities that will be difficult to manage in future," said Fatchi.

EPM's Advisor Dumisani Ngulube told Zodiakonline that the company does its business in Thyolo and Mulanje and most of our workers and customers get medical treatment from these hospitals and this compelled us to support to the four hospitals.

"COVID-19 is a crisis and the private sector where EPM belongs has to assist in managing this disease by filling existing gaps such as provision of medical and sanitation items to health facilities," said Ngulube.

As of Thursday 25th February, 2021, Mulanje district had registered 583 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 440 recoveries and 21 deaths.

According to Ngulube, so far EPM has spent K14 million towards COVID-19 response in Thyolo and Mulanje since the outbreak of COVID-19 first wave.