No Covid-19 testing facility in North Malawi
Health officials in the northern region are asking for a coronavirus testing facility to boost national efforts to combat the virus pandemic.
Mzimba North acting director of health and social services Naomi Mulwafu said the northern region needs its own testing centre if they are to contain the outbreak.
She said whenever there is a suspect, health officials take a sample and send to laborotaries either in Lilongwe or Blantyre.
“This is a problem because we can’t get the results immediately,” said Mulwafu after receiving preventive materials from World Vision on Thursday.
In his address to the nation on Saturday evening, President Peter Mutharika announced the opening of new testing centres for COVID-19 and the recruitment by the health ministry of 2,000 extra staff.
President Mutharika said government is increasing the number of testing centres in various parts of the country over and above the three laboratories the country has; the National Health Reference Laboratory in Lilongwe, College of Medicine Laboratory and the Malawi Liverpool Welcome Trust in Blantyre.
“We need more soldiers and human power in this fight,” said the Malawi leader.
He also directed treasury to increase the risk allowances for our health workers as a matter of urgency.
President Mutharika has refused a to rule out a nationwide lockdown, as he said “more comprehensive measures may be imposed”.
The virus that emerged in Wuhan, China, last December has spread to at least 179 countries and territories with a global death toll of over 40,000, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Don’t waste resources on Tumbukas
Malawi is one. Stop segregation.
Mesa judge wanu Kenyatta Nyirenda akuti covid 19 is not a threat at all. Ndiye inu a hinya mukuliranji? Ife aku South ndi Central tili pa state of disaster unlike inu akumpoto omwe muli pa easy with your Kenyatta. That’s why kwanuko kulibe corona testing kit. Anthu otsutsa zilizonse inu.
Mutharika said he had established an inclusive cabinet a few days or weeks ago.. Currently, that is good for pictures and talking points. When it comes to substance, the current and former presidents have all practiced divide and conquer policies with impunity. Certainly, on matters of substance, the North is and will forever be marginalized. A donor dependent country ought to demonstrate the spirit of sacrifice for each region as exemplified by tax payers in donor countries. They donate without looking at your face or tribe or region. We need to ask donors to create special accounts for each region… Read more »
This is the reason why northerners need to see a government that is inclusive. My advice to the people of the north is you equally pay tax therefore demand for a testing center or else you will all perish with covid19.
Their is no COVID-19 in the North because there is no one who travelled to China, India or Europe. You are safe my brothers. The danger is in the central and southern regions as they have a lot of machina and amwenye who travelled to these COVID -19 infected countries. Let us just pray for them to allow God to be merciful.
If Mutharika has not honoured its promise to assist some of its cadets stuck in Wuhan… Who are you northerners… Mphepo already made it clear…
Tiyeni tizingosonkhelana kumpoto kuno kuti tigule makinawo
DPP government does not care about people living in the North. To them the North is not part of Malawi. Mphepo said it already that citizens of the North should not expect anything good from APM. What other evidence do need? God will protect the North from contracting the Covid-19 virus.
Auzeni a President Anu, mesa mmati APM ain’t yo President….. Mtambo, Chakwera akupasani zofunikazo
munyanya mwano… musova.. tell chilima to establish those testing centres
kunena kwandithendithe.
Sanakozekele awa, LIP SERVICE Basi mmanja pwapwapwapwa. tyeni tidikile.
contitution ya 52 plans khaya mmatelo
Infection will be passed on by infected testing kits