written by Honourable Grace kwelepeta MP
We have a profoundly serious situation at Domasi College as a result of returnees that are sent here to quarantine. We are receiving buses from South Africa with some people who end up testing positive for COVID-19.
The system that has been put in place by DODMA is not working well as it has so many gaps where we see our community members getting exposed to COVID and this will result in rising number of cases in the area.
The individuals who are supposed to be quarantining o does not adhere to rules that require them to remain in the dorms. They move up to the trading centre without masks. After being tested, those who test positive are taken to their homes using ambulances and those who test negatives although exposed to the positive ones are taken by bus back to Blantyre. Those to Mangochi, Lilongwe and north are left to use public transport to their respective homes. Now the fear is that those using public transport are the same that have interacted with the positives how safe are my people since they use kabanza and contact tracing can be a problem in case they become positive. And the worst were some deportees on Sunday were told to use their own transport and they went into the nearby Domasi villages trying to sell their phones and blankets to locals so that they get transport.
When our returnees get their results they still mix with the negative ones when collecting their goods from the bus when MRA comes.
Can there be way that my concerns be taken serious as when I ask to relevant am being labelled as someone who doesn’t want these returnees but am just so scared of local transmission with the people of Malosa of whom I represent.
And in the beginning, there was no community engagement till I had to push that they come to do community sensitization and thank you DR Phuka for this. My community is ready to help and understand the need for government to use the facilities, but we are not safe. Even the disinfection team is never there. I have seen when these buses reach Mwnza we see the disinfection team spraying chemicals, but it has never sprayed here in Domasi. How I wish masks and sanitizers were given to all houses near the college as where the buses park is near lectures houses. Please come and see the situation first before you condemn my long post.
They promised us that a day before buses come there will be a public system that will be alerting the community, but it has never happened.
The other thing may those that think I am lying come to Domasi when these buses come and see what am talking about.
The people of Zomba Malosa are not safe with this pandemic. Who so ever can help please do as we are living in fear?
Fighting covid19 stay home and be safe.
Honourable Grace kwelepeta MP.
