“The focus on Covid-19 has to go beyond the health aspect because there are some negative impacts that have come due to the pandemic,” says Mugaba.

He says; “since the closure of schools three months ago, some young girls have been married off whilst some have become pregnant because the responsible parties have forgotten their responsibility”.

He said there is need for the concerned parties to develop strong strategies to address the said challenges before things get out of hand.

As part of its intervention in the fight against covid-19, the organization in collaboration with a local NGO in Mchinji, Kapiri Community Development Organization (KACODO), has set aside K6m for the provision of personal protective equipment, as well as awareness campaigns on covid-19 in the district.

It has since handed over infrared thermometers and hand washing buckets at Mchinji and Kapiri hospitals respectively.

Kapiri Hospital-in-Charge Sister Jovita Polotazio has hailed the development arguing that it is timely.

“The absence of hand-washing facilities have forced some communities in Kapiri not to adhere to preventive measures, thereby putting their lives at risk of the deadly disease,” says Polotazio.

KACODO Executive Director Linda Kam'banda decried information gap covid-19 among the communities in the area as the main challenge affecting efforts to combat the pandemic.