Malawi govt releases K1bn for free face masks as battle for Covid-19 continues
Government says Treasury has released K1 billion to buy face masks which will be distributed for free to people who cannot afford the life-saving cloth.
This follows increasing number of people arrested for failure to put on face masks in public.
Some of the arrested said they could not afford to buy masks which costs an average of K500 each.
In a memo signed by Siphiwe Mauwa, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, the funds have been disbursed to all district councils to buy masks to be distributed to communities.
Meanwhile, George Jobe one of the country’s health rights activist has hailed government for the gesture saying this will go a long way in ensuring strict adherence to the order for people to wear masks in public.
Jobe has however advised government to atleast be distributing two or more masks per person.
The recent measures followed a surge in new infections and deaths which came at the start of the year.
Currently, the country has 14,436 active Covid-19 cases.
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Eeee koma boma la Chakwerali latifikapo. They’re getting into our nerves now. Ndalama za misokho ya aMalwai ndiyi imene mungamanene kuti ma masiki a free. Ndalamazo mwatenga mmumatumba anu kapenanso ndi ma donation zili zonse mimangoti boma zaulere. Inatha nthawi yomatinamiza a Malawi tsiku lima mudzachita tsoka galu wapakhomo panu pomwe atakulumani. Koma mwatikwana palibenso boma la mbuli ngati ili. Kulemphera kutsitsa ferteliza ndiye mukutiuza za mamasiki otchipa ngati awo. Mwatifika mmafupa ndithu.
This should not end as maskgate.
Good Decision making is so scarce, why the government thinking of distributing funds to districts for free masks. This could be the first thing to do before enforcing the masks. The fact here is many people have masks now as it is seen as one goes round and the funding is a way of sharing covid19 funds. God is watching the way this leadership is playing hide and seek games with malawians and soon His another wrath will befallen malawians as a result of unfaithful leadership.
Will government sustain these mask hand outs in the long terms?
At least u could have done better before forcement bcoz u arresting the people who can’t afford to buy food and u think they can buy mask nonsense and I don’t know if that money will go to the needy
Did government have to wait to hear people in a courtroom to say they can’t afford a mask? Is it not common knowledge that Malawians are poor and needed help? I our leaders have a long way to go to get things right.
Accountability abd transparency issues,have they been addressed? Or it is another way of pocketing the covid -19 donor money?
This step could have been taken last year. Also last year Masksformmalawi.org promised 17 million masks and got funding, where are these masks. They collected donation US$ 5-00 for 25 masks. According to their website they were supported by Ministry of health, Malawi Defense force, Dept of immigartion, GIZ, Datum foundation, Seed the change, etc etc. No accountabilty. There was an old couple ( think Indian) who were making masks at home since last April/ May and have been distributing free to police road blocks/ station, vendors , hospital, etc. whereas other indians were making and selling masks at Mk… Read more »
Are you not the ones who told us there was no COVID-19 in Malawi?
Why are you stupid?
Mzozodo, it u who is not just stupid, but rather very stupid. Why dont u want to accept reality, this is what they said, period.
Achimwene, I don’t think this is the time for pointing fingers. Let’s appreciate the efforts being taken to contain the pandemic and save lives.
Why not, in fact, this is the rite time because of the consequences Malawi people are going thru now. Zamkutu!