By Francisco Mwanza
MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-President of the association of Malawi midwives (AMAM) Dr. Annie Phoya on Friday, June 3, 2020, said ethics and midwifery care is crucial as the world is fighting Covid-19 pandemic.
Phoya made the remarks in Mzuzu at the end of a day long training for leaders in midwifery, more especially managers in labour ward and maternity units,including nursing officers in the northern region of Malawi.
Tha training was aimed at preventive issues on Covid-19 and also reminding these health workers on issues to do with ethics in nursing and midwifery provision and care in stressful situations.
“We don’t want a scenario where health workers should shun away patients due to Covid-19 pandemic but rather follow proper majors to prevent themselves and the patients from contracting the corona virus,” says Phoya.
She however pointed out that inadequate number of health workers,personal protective wear and lack of space in the hospitals are among the challenges being faced as the country is fighting this pandemic.
“We also encourage mothers to get long-term family planning methods to lessen their visits to the hospital which will also avoid conjestion in hospitals during covid19 pandemic.This year has been designated to nurses and mid wives so we were also discussing on how we can achieve and celebrate at the end,”added Phoya.
At the end of the training, the association of midwifery of Malawi donated items like N95 masks,buckets,gloves and more, which will be distributed to all government hospitals including some private and mission hospitals in the northern region of Malawi.
The acting director of the profession practice and conduct at the department of nurses and midwifery John Nepiyara said the donation will help both the health personnels and patients to fight the pandemic.
As of 4th June 2020 Malawi registered 1613 cases and 17 deaths due to covid 19 pandemic.
The donation came from the UNFPA and the friends from republic of Korea in memory of late Professor Susi Kim who was the first principle of Daeyong private hospital in Lilongwe.
Malawi has got 4735 registered nurses and midwives looking after the population of 18 million people in the country.
The recommended ratio for World Health Organisation is 4.5 health worker per 1000 people but Malawi has only 0.5 health workers, leaving a gap of 47% vacancy late according to Dr Phoya.
