Goal Malawi forefront in Blantyre COVID 19 fight

Goal Malawi has been on the forefront in the fight of Covid 19 in the district of Blantyre. In the efforts to contain the virus, interventions by the organization were made, recognizing the strain that the pandemic has posed on both our health care system and the communities at large.

Tamanya Hara, Director of Planning and Development (DPD) in Blantyre District Council said that the targeted Covid 19 response by ECHO through Goal Malawi has greatly helped district manage the pandemic.

He said, “One key area that we have been assisted the most is the supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and the support on capacity building of relevant structures such as area/village/district civil protection committees. The project has also assisted in terms of awareness to the communities.”

The Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator for Blantyre District Health, Gladys Harrison said the project is being implemented in seven facilities namely as Chilomoni, Chileka, Mlambe, Kameza.

“The project has assisted us with orientation on infection prevention and control guidelines. They have also provided us with IPC materials such as soap, buckets and cloth masks.

This has bridged the gap that existed in the hospitals, and health workers are now familiar with the preventive measures,” Harrison said.

Chilomoni Health Centre is one of the centres that have benefited from the Covid 19 response project. Thandiwe Chisi, the Health Surveillance Assistance at the Centre had this to say:

“We have received dustbins, buckets and basins in different sizes that have been put at different places and these have remedied the situation that we had before.

This has helped us reduce the number of infections as every person entering the hospital has to wash hands before entering the hospital. We also teach the community to adhere to these preventive measures.”

Area Civil Protection Committees (ACPCs) in Blantyre have also benefited from the ECHO funded Project. William Mpata, ACPC Chair in Senior Chief Kuntaja commended the work that they have done together with Goal Malawi.

“The pandemic has greatly affected the country, and consequently our communities. We as ACPCs work together with Goal Malawi, emphasizing a community led action by sensitizing communities on prevention and management.

Through this, the community is aware of how to handle infections. They have also brought to us megaphones, whistles and masks to be used in the daily running of the awareness campaigns.”

Blantyre is one of the districts that Goal Malawi has a Covid 19 response, and has financial and technical support from ECHO.