By Lusekero Mhango
KARONGA-(MaraviPost)-Karonga District health authorities has asked residents in the Lakeshore District to continue being vigilant in the battle against COVID-19 despite new registered cases being on the decline.
The call was made Saturday at the district hospital following a donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) valued for about Mk 1.3 Million by Ukhondo Services Foundation (USEF) through financial support from Civil Society Organization Nutrition Alliance (CSONA).
Speaking in an interview following the donation Lewis Hawonga who spoke in behalf of the Director of Health and Social Services for Karonga, said despite a number of new registered cases being on the decrease over the past few weeks but cautioned this should not prompt people in the district to start relaxing to the pandemic which since has claimed 22 lives so far in Karonga.
“the situation has painted a rosy picture recently in the district having no one admitted in our isolation facility over COVID-19 but we do not need to relax but we need to keep fighting against the pandemic hence the appeal for continued vigilance,” he said.
Turning to the donation Hawonga, expressed gratitude for the timely gesture of the PPE’s.
Adding that despite registering a decline of cases of the virus the battle to defeat the pandemic remains far from over saying the PPE’s will go a long way in assisting the hospital and other centres who still need the supply of them.
On his part Executive Director ofUkhondo Services Foundation Edgar Phiri, said the donation was made to support government efforts in ensuring that both medical attention seekers and health workers at the health facilities are COVID free.
“We made this donation to ensure that health workers and others visiting the health facilities to seek medical treatment are in a safe environment free from the virus hence our expectation is that the district hospital and other health facilities will make use of the materials,” he said.
Phiri therefore commended the health workers for the job they have done during the pandemic saying their dedication and passion to save lives of patience of the virus has been inspiring to all Malawian.
Some of the items donated included hand sanitizers, masks and hand washing soap among others.
Cumulatively Karonga has registered 533 COVID-19 cases with 362 recoveries and 22 fatalities.