Coalition welcomes Chakwera’s award for Malawi healthworkers in Covid fight

Human Resource for Health Coalition has welcomed  President Lazarus Chakwera introduction of special award for most dedicated health workers in the fight against coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Simeza: There should be a universal standard awards to all health workers

Speaking during his weekly national address Saturday night, Chakwera said five health workers nominated by various medical associations will be receiving the award every three months for their dedication to work.

Chakwera described the health workers as champions who are sacrificing their lives against many odds, including depressing working conditions, depleted medical supplies, and deteriorating health facilities.

He said: “Without them, we would simply have no chance and no hope against this pandemic, because they are truly our last line of defense.”

Chakwera introduced the Zikomo Presidential Award as a token of thanks to the most dedicated health care workers.

Health workers say they appreciate the gesture but say awarding only five health workers is not a good idea.

Shouts Simeza, the chairperson for Human Resource for Health Coalition, pointed out that currently every health worker is working hard to the extent that some are even getting infected with coronavirus.

Statistics show that about 350 health workers have so far tested positive  to the virus pandemic in Malawi, with one death.

“Probably the award in my view and representing all health workers in Malawi, there should be a universal standard awards to all health workers, And I would propose that maybe the awards would be temporal waiver of tax on salaries for health workers,” he said.

Simeza says besides awards, the government should also consider addressing the shortage of medical workers in public hospitals which is affecting the fight against the spread of coronavirus.

Malawi continues to register an increase in the cases of COVID-19.

The coronavirus situation update report from the Presidential Taskforce Force on COVID-19 shows as of the Saturday evening, Malawi had 4,186 cases of COVID with 120 deaths.

The report also said about 100 new cases are being confirmed every day, whose transmission is now almost entirely local.

President Chakwera has since asked Malawians to observe preventive measures against the pandemic, which include, social distancing, wearing face coverings and regular hand washing, as the country works to formulate laws to enforce these measures.

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Mwisho
3 years ago

Ooops! There goes Chakwera again. When shall this man stop goofing on policies?? Does he really think that rewarding 5 workers will motivate the entire health service which is collectively at risk of catching Covid 19? Who is advising abusa on health issues?

This learner president is rather taking too long to master the art. Until now, there is nothing tangible that has come from State House worth commending other than arresting innocent people. Mxiii!

Paul
Paul
3 years ago

this is a time to be most grateful for having a dedicated healthcare workforce that is risking it all for the good of the country. they are all HEROES and should be collectively praised by a gracious nation. they all deserve medals from the cleaners, porters, cooks, right up to nurses and doctors. a gracious nation should be humble enough to show worthy praise. remember, too that they are all family members some of whom will no doubt have lost loved ones to this dreadful pandemic! what is needed is patriotic “thank you” day that the nation can come out… Read more »

Wawa
Wawa
3 years ago

Come on now Mr. President . In this time of pandemic, every health worker on front lines deserve an award and recognition. Rewarding 5 workers out of thousands every three months is a big joke . Reward all or scrap the project . Every health worker rt now is pretty much working their butts off, So rewarding ur so called dedicated ones will just demoralize the rest of the crew.

mtete
mtete
3 years ago

My view is that the award should target all health workers involved in combating Covid 19 pandemic because, let’s face it, all are putting in their best. Targeting a few could have a negative effect. Let active brains work out how such a reward, temporary maybe, should be administered.

Bob Finyeol9
Bob Finyeol9
3 years ago

The worst initiative from a president. Does our president have the brains befitting a president? Rewarding 5 from thousands health workers every 3 months does not make sense and our president can’t see that. Afterall, you Tonse Alliance leaders have been saying there is no COVID-19 in Malawi. When did you realise the contrary. Very useless leaders we have.

mtete
mtete
3 years ago
Reply to  Bob Finyeol9

This is not time for sarcasm. You should instead bring forward ideas, not dwelling on blames.

Mangochi Kabwafu
Mangochi Kabwafu
3 years ago

I would rather you gave to all health workers as that would avoid demoralising those missing out.

Nyungwe
Nyungwe
3 years ago

Demotivating Health Workers.Mwasankha bwanji??

Winnie
Winnie
3 years ago

Foolish initiative. How do you choose 5 nurses out of many.

Peloma Pepe
Peloma Pepe
3 years ago
Reply to  Winnie

Foolish indeed! And corruption will also set in.

william Matewere
william Matewere
3 years ago

This is a good initiative from the president but would you allow me to suggest that the best way to award is to award an institution not an individual. For a patient to be cared or treated there are many people who get involved. Apart from Doctors and Nurses, we need to think of hospital cleaners, laundrers, cooks, guards etc. These also are important in the care of patients. Evaluation should also involve the patients themselves upon discharge where they will be able to give feed back through a suggestion box.

Mayi
Mayi
3 years ago

The best would be scrapping enrolled nursing or technician and replace with registered nursing for all nurses. Period. This can be done in a period of 20 years so that people can upgrade or for those who can’t, they can exit within that time. This will significantly take care of the greatest nursing disparity between RN’s and EN’s. I feel it for nurses who are of lower ranking. So please President Chakwera, this is what would be very very helpful and it would also place Malawi among nations who are only producing registered nurses. Making it square and fair for… Read more »

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