The new Covid-19 treatment facility at Zomba State Lodge has received a boost of six Oxygen Concentrators worth K8 million from the country’s major fuel supplier and distributor, the Petroleum Importers Limited (PIL).

Presenting the equipment in Zomba on Friday, PIL’s Director Hilda Soko said the donation underscores the fuel importers’ contribution towards the fight against the pandemic in the country.

“At PIL we recognize the enormous burden that Covid-19 has presents to Malawi’s already struggling health care system. Therefore, we have donated the equipment to collaborate with government and other private institutions as we are facing the common enemy,” said Soko.

Soko said the gesture is a continuation of PIL’s efforts to improve the delivery of quality healthcare services in the country.

“Previously PIL has been collaborating with the government to enhance Malawi’s health status. Together with our shareholders we believe that deeper cooperation between the private sector and government would result in improvement of the healthcare,” she said.

The director expressed gratitude to healthcare workers for working tirelessly in giving patients hope.

“We applaud our frontline (healthcare) workers for the relentless services being rendered to patients. Our hope is that these concentrators will contribute positively in their ability to care and serve covid-19 patients at the hospital,” added Soko.

In her remarks, Minister of Health Hon Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda said the new facility complements other hospitals in the fight against the virus.

“The second wave of Covid-19 has overwhelmed our health facilities with patients. We are opening field hospitals and more isolation centres in the country to alleviate this challenge,” said Chiponda.

The minister expressed gratitude to PIL for the donation saying the equipment is essential in the management of the virus.

“We are so grateful to receive this timely donation of oxygen concentrators from PIL to our newly established facility. In the wake of the second wave the bigger part of treatment requires giving oxygen therefore, the equipment is of paramount importance,” she said.

The donation is a consolidated contribution towards the country’s Covid-19 fight by PIL and its shareholders; Puma, Petroda, Vivo and Total.

Last year, during the onset of the first wave, PIL made a donation of medical equipment to Blantyre District Health Office towards improving preventive measures.