The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Honourable Bright Msaka SC has commended authorities in Zomba for stepping up efforts to contain the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.
Msaka, who is also Vice-President of the governing Democratic Progressive Party in the eastern region, made the remarks when he visited isolation sites and clinics in the district as part of government’s drive to manage and prevent the spread of one of world’s worst pandemics since the Spanish flue of 1918.
The minister said his tour was aimed at assessing the situation on the ground and report back to the Special Cabinet Committee on Corona Virus, which has been coordinating the fight in the country since President Arthur Peter Mutharika, in line with the world order, declared a state of disaster recently.
“We are at war against corona virus and that war will not be won at Capital Hill. It will be won on the battle field and that’s out in the districts,” he said.
Since it broke out of the Chinese city of Wuhan last December, Covid-19 has killed thousands of people worldwide, crippling economies and sending many people out of jobs. In Malawi, 36 people have tested positive to Covid-19, 3 have died while four have recovered from the deadly pandemic.
Scientists and major pharmaceutical firms across the world are racing against time to come up with a vaccine to save the world from a catastrophe.
“We are balancing two delicate situations, that is, to save lives and, also allowing people to go about their daily business,” said Msaka, adding, “We need to be aware that if we don’t take care, it is a matter of time before those statistics (we see everyday elsewhere) begin to manifest themselves here.”
The minister commended stakehokders in the old capital city for running a well coordinated operation, which he says shows that Zomba is on top its game as regards the management of the pandemic.
He said it is quite commendable that various state and non state actors, and the faith community, have stepped in to assist in the management of the pandemic.
The minister showered praises on Chancellor College for rising to the occasion by opening its laboratories and clinics to produce face masks, hand sanitisers and even set up equipment for corona virus testing. On law enforcement, Msaka said security agencies have a duty to see that people are living by the agreed code in order not to erode the gains made so far.
Msaka added that there is need to enhance grassroot participation in the fight against Covid-19 through increased engagement with traditional leaders.
The minister, who was accompanied by a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Media Suzen Dossi, called on the media not to allow anyone to play politics with Covid-19.
“There is a lot of cynicism about corona virus in this country and the media must not leave this matter to be a case of political debate,” he said.
On his part, Zomba District Commission Dr. Raphael Piringu said they have developed a master plan and formed a number of task forces, which are pursuing various options in the fight against the pandemic.
He said there is good rapport between the council and other players. However, he said the major challenge is inadequate awareness, especially among the rural community, about the dangers of Covid-19.
Piringu said the council has distributed hand washing materials in the surrounding communities, and enhanced market awareness campaigns.