Lilongwe family, workers demand tests to ascertain coronavirus status
Some family members and workers of the man who recently died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Lilongwe are demanding that medical tests should be conducted on them to ascertain if they have contracted the virus or not.
Yousuf Bassa – a brother to a Dudha – accused the Ministry of Health of deceiving the nation by saying they tested positive to the virus yet no tests were done on them.
“Of course, we can confirm that health workers came here. But they did not conduct any test on us. They simply collected our names and phone numbers, promising us that tests would be conducted later. But they haven’t returned to test us,” said Bassa.
His accusation comes barely a few days after a Nkhotakota-based COVID-19 suspect also raised an alarm over how the Malawi Government handled his illness.
In a voice note conversation with his relative, which has gone viral on the social media, the Nkhotakota COVID-19 suspect is accusing authorities at the Capital Hill of faking his illness for political reasons.
Bassa said it was sad that the Ministry of Health went ahead to announce that they tested positive to the virus when no tests were conducted on them.
“Let them come to test us! We have been waiting for them. As we are talking to you now, everyone is discriminating against us, calling us COVID-19 patients yet we have not been tested,” he complained.
One of the mechanics at the deceased’s garage, Sama Shaibue, disclosed they will consider seeking redress, saying the news has negatively impacted their profession as mechanics.
“We wonder what their motive is. How can they tell the nation that we have tested positive yet no tests have been conducted on us?” asked Shaibu.
The development has also not pleased Deputy Mayor of the Lilongwe City Council, Richard Banda, who is accusing authorities at the Ministry of Health of creating panic and anxiety in Area 21 where the deceased’s family lives.
Banda said it is unfortunate that professionals such as doctors have started working like politicians now.
“One wonders why they could come only to collect names and phone numbers when what these people needed most was to get tested. I condemn in strongest terms the actions taken by health workers on this matter. Of course, we are not disputing that COVID-1 is real, but government has failed us on this one,” he said.
In a WhatsApp interview with Nyasa Times on Thursday morning, Chief of Health Services in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Charles Mwansambo, confirmed that doctors have not yet conducted medical tests on some family members and workers deceased businessman.
“The first group were immediate contacts. The second group is contacts of the positive contacts, and the cascading goes on. They will be [tested]. DHO Lilongwe is following up,” said Mwansambo.
The Ministry of Health spokesperson, Joshua Malango, told journalists in Lilongwe that the deceased had other underlying ailments.
On the other hand, the Secretary for Health, Dr Dan Namarika, warned Wednesday morning that the situation could worsen if no bold decision is made quickly to stop the spread of the pandemic in the country..
Namarika cautioned that based on the Kuunika Modelling of the virus pandemic, out of the 17 million population, Lilongwe could be the hardest hit with 1.5 million Covi-19 patients’ expected and 5 000 deaths.
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How has Namarika come up with the figure 5000? Is it the target they want to reach? Koma anthu inu, muziopa Mulungu!
this soo sad who you declear somebody sick by just hearing .infact am very disturbed with this and somebody must be accountable to this by misleading the whole nation and our president APM. lawyers of the victims should take it up
Govt should be serious with convid 19. And if some body presented fake reports to Jappie Mhango or Dr Namatika those people should be arrested now. Otherwise they are putting the Nation on fire. Jappie Mhango should be show us that he is a Minister
Nothing strange here for a party that tippexed its way into government. This is a party built on dishonesty. In case some are doubting, here are a few examples.
We have not forgotten how Bingu outmaneuvered UDF to form DPP. UDF cried foul and all efforts to have him removed as he was elected on UDF’s ticket failed. Next Bingu creates a treason case for Cassim Chilumpha, Harry Thompson, Bakili Muluzu and many more who remained in UDF. It baffles me that after all what DPP did to UDF, some greedy UDF members think DPP makes a good partner for an alliance.
While Bingu refused to resign as president after dumping UDF, the hypocritical DPP went out, guns brazing demanding the resignation of SKC for leaving DPP. To DPP everything is bad if it does not serve the party’s selfish interests whether legal or illegal and vice versa. The party and its plants in government are calling the judiciary names just because the election case did not go in their favour while we had none of that when the same Judge Kenyatta Nyirenda ruled in their favour in 2014. Instead of the party zealots reflecting on the insufficient evidence they presented in ConCourt to dispute the rigging claims by the opposition, they are busy castigating judges, spinning a myriad of untruths.
Then, like in some fiction movie, arguably the mother of all lies. Born Brightson Webster Ryson Thom, later changed to Bingu wa Muthalika to sound like he was Kenyan, and upon death christened “Daniel Phiri” and reverted to late Bingu wa Muthalika in South Africa for repatriation of the body back to Malawi for burial. Until now we have two dates of death for the late Bingu. All this for what? Greed and power. Surprisingly, all this was being orchestrated by the baby brother, the current interim president. If one can lie about the death of his brother, what more do you expect?
what a wonderful comment. very much and much true
what else do we expext from the DPP idiots??
I mean after those ruling years’we “knew “him as he told us that his name was bingu’ .ok we believed and trusted his lips.
he dies in mw. someone crafted to send the corpse to Joni and guess what, the corpse comes back under a different name and noone from the KIA immigration questions it. i guess sitinaike malilo aeni. okky
now we got this one called pitala. he just landed from the US lets hope he came from there iindeed if its not crafted again.we dint know him and am sire may be dausi has doctored it to make us to know him. we gave him his first plate of meal free until today and has not spent a penny on us than continue milking us from our taxes and at the end calling us headless chicken ndipo atinyenyanyenya , right!!!!!!!
I hope there is no CRAFTED JOKER HERE. We are still rearing mysterious beings called presidents.
Please someone help with the calculations.
MCP AT WORK THAT CAN’T SUCCEED
a cipatala kubwera pa
private vehicle
no ID
no tests done.
under the leadership of pitala and dausi on the side
ya ku Likoma game yoipa
ya ku area 36 kitenga ma fone number kuti muzabwera kuzawapatsa ma k35.000 no ID or police eskot
nde kupita za gonetu uki
nanuso mafumu mukulolela.
if these guys get mobbed!!!!
PLS DONT TAKE US AS FOOLS
Nyau ndikuzavina kuzavina pamenepaja. Fumbi mbwee. Ndikuzavina azimayi Kuyimba mokweza. Gule ndikuvina kuvina kuzadumpha m’malere. Kuzagwa pansi kuti phwaaa!!! Wamaayooo!! Ndakhalira phwala!
That will be Chakweras fate.
If he’s careful Chakwera must start wearing underwear. Stop this nonsense of politicising everything or risk becoming like John Tembo. 85% of Malawians are in rural areas and are closely watching. Not his paid vendors, actors and HRDC goons. Real Malawians with real issues. People with no access to even a clinic or health Center. People that don’t eat politics.This is how Bingu won his second term in landslide the people saw through the pettiness and harassment of the opposition. Ino ndi nthawi yokolola, whose dying of hunger?government already set funds and economic package to help the needy. This stance will backfire. Corona is real. It’s no joke. Bola osakhalira phwala!!
The Drama in DPP will never end
Ma test a covid19 ngoopsatu. M’malo mongoyambiratu kumwa achina tumeric etc. Zichedwani
Bad this is politicised
If this is true then Jappie Mhango you are a disgrace to the people of Rumphi North.
Stupidest government
Please don’t confuse people with misinformation. What is this Kuunika modelling? What is the population for Lilongwe to say Lilongwe could be the hardest hit with 1.5 million? The 17 million people are both in rural and urban areas and infection rate isn’t the same. Some of us are privileged to work and access information from a global health organization. COVID 19 is certainly in Malawi but please, let’s take it seriously and tell the population the truth as to how many are being tested and are seropositive to guide the response strategies.
LL has about 2.6million people that is both urban and rural
Pls sue them at court so that they can pay damages
Namarika be careful. Politicians are simply using you as a condom, they will soon dump you when their hands are hot. All their eyes on the free money which is coming from overseas and all there dreams are about getting reach overnight. Oh help us God.
Namalika, don’t defend nonsense wamva, iweyo ukunama aona zowawa ndi alomwe anzako ku South uwona!! Sincerely even if the situation could worsen, is it worthy it to lie on people health status?
Deputy Mayor Richard Banda, osachedwapo apa, just sue them…………………..!! Go and see Kenyata akuthandizani pompo pompo!!
I once asked the Leaders of Opposition to take this type of tests seriously, I had this feeling in my mind, these Crooks called Government they are exaggerating the the pandemic and putting people under panic. These innocent guys are mentioned in the Covid19 report that they are positive, as we are saying the number is increasing while others are not positive let alone given a period of quarantine. What type of Government is this by the way? How come people are positive without being Tested? Let’s leave politics aside, this is a serious matter,now I see the reason why Trump has pulled out their contribution to the WHO, it’s like the Team is just a piece of dramas, the WHO should act on this! Malawian Government is too much on this pandemic, they have changed it into Rayol pandemic to scare its own citizens. This is nonsense!
kodi COVID-19 imathekaso kuyeza ndi phone number yokha eti kkkkk koma ku malawi
Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk koma Guys,can u someone tell me what’s going on?zatani kodi?
The virus has no meds hence there is no present dangers to the family arising from this wrongful diagnosis alone. Stay calm guys!
game yawakulila iyi. tiona mabwana akutithawa.
bola io akukumana ‘kuocha nyama’kumwerera ‘ kugawana ndalama’ku Chikoko bay
There is evidence some recover so the family shouldn’t panic. The family should try to minimise their movements for now, if no symptoms appear within 14 days it will prove they haven’t contacted the virus. If symptoms begin then the family can call for tests.
But this idea of demanding to be tested prior to the appearance of symptoms is ill conceived. To me it’s better for government to prioritise testing those who are showing symptoms. Those at risk taking their contact numbers and keeping in touch suffices considering Resources are still limited
But how were they declared positive before being tested?
Sad! People never understand that the World or Countries have other laws governing them. They go along with what people or leaders are doing. No matter what they are cosquencies at 1. National 2. District 3. TA Village or City or townshiip and finally at household level. There is no escape. Be assured that there is a reward on whatever you do. If you are old to read this you will agree with me. You have seen how some nations, districts, communities and houses have languished. Thus those fooling Malawians are not immune to this wrath. Time is coming to pay.
People should understand the difference that are in the nursing process of Covid.19. People can be quarantined so that can be monitored if they will develop symptoms of covid19. The quarantine process is to prevent the spread of covid19 . What am getting from this is that these people might have been put on quarantine. The problem with this virus someone can stay even more than 10 or more days without showing signs or symptoms, as a carrier and can pass, hence social distancing is important. The problem is that we think government is playing up a game, but that is not the case. This virus does not see whether you are pro-government or opposition. It doesn’t look at how poor or rich you are, it can knock people down. The messages the ministry of health is giving out are not meant to scare people, but to plead with people to consider their ways. If we politicise it, the impact will be here, already our health system is not great. Let us weight and watch the next weeks coming if people will continue accusing authorities.
If they have been quarantined to see if they might have the symptoms of the virus so what was the reason to tell the nation they they had tested positive? Why the rush in the first place?
Here in area 21, We need independent doctors to test us for covid _19 , whare are these NGO on health issues to come here and test us since Government is lying to the world about people being positive while in actual fact. They just come to collect our phone numbers and promising to give us Cash, afterwards here that we are positive, We don’t want to receive these dirty money in exchange with Justice
agwileni akabweraso.aulule musanawadule mitu..akutisowetsa ntendere
Koma DPP government is full of shit.
shit yake yampwelele wa citopa’ mwa kamwazi
Mwambi walero, kuyipa mtima ngati judge wachitumbuka. (Mwachitsanzo Kenyatta Nyirenda, madise, Nkandawire)
Kodi mukufuna a kolona virus ambiri ndi chani. Lock down yomweyi.
Maybe Malawi government has started testing COVID-19 Patients with phone numbers
Maybe Malawi has became so advanced that they have now started testing COVID-19 using phone numbers
Too much ignorance in Malawi. Please, some people can be asymptomatic which means they do not show any symptoms of corona-virus.
Phiri so why rushing to declare, that they are positive, whats there aim ? Colona is there but government should not use it to scare people , Who can trust Namalikha who changed Bingus name to Daniel after Bingu dead, always this guy behave like a real Cadet,in short he is Areal Cadet , please handle this issue with clean hands
Yes but why test them before symptoms that is why if people are suspect to have the virus they are isolated.
Tests are expensive and difficult to get on the world market so you are not tested until you exhibit symptoms nor are you tested if you have died.
Malawi has 50,000 deaths a month if it reaches more you will know Corona Virus has affected the population,
But do we declare someone positive before even testing him/her?
The issue here is that sanawayeze, tidzimvetsa
The media is encouraging this stupidity without realising that you are putting everyone including yourself at risk. Some people with corona-virus do not show symptoms. The ministry has tested some relatives already not all.
Do not blame the media. Something is off here. Why are we hearing reports from various places (LL, KK, MC, CK) of people saying they were not tested but have been included in the positive numbers? Why would Govt test some members of a Covid patient’s family, and leave out others for later? Wouldn’t the issue be treated as serious, requiring testing of all immediate family members and employees who were working with the patient? And wouldn’t the remaining people be put on strict quarantine pending testing? Do these people look like they are on quarantine?
I urge the Public Affairs Committee (PAC), CSO’s working in the health sector, doctors’ and nurses’ associations, opposition political parties etc to demand the truth regarding testing records. DPP should not be left to their own devices. This country belongs to us all. There should be transparency on this extremely important issue. If DPP is manipulating the Covid “tests” they should not be allowed to get away with their scam.
In today’s Nation, a medical officer in KK is saying that the KK case is asymptomatic. Why was he tested if he was not sick? It can’t be because he arrived from South Africa – there are hundreds of such people, so why him in particular? And why isn’t the nation being given the number of total tests conducted each day? Instead we are only told about positive cases. What is the capacity in terms of testing (i.e. kits and reagents)? DPP should not be secretive about all these issues…
This is what we call politicising corona-virus. Why can’t the title be ‘Other family members ask government to test them’. With this attitude, mutha ku Lilongwe ko.