BLANTYRE, Malawi, April 8 (Xinhua) -- A community health center in Chilomoni township in Blantyre, the largest business district in Malawi can now have a sigh of relief after receiving a donation from a community group.
For months, it has been hard for patients who have been seeking assistance at the hospital because of limited resources which is a common challenge in many health centers in Malawi. In most circumstances, COVID-19 patients are referred to the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, which brings a lot of inconveniences.
Looking at the situation, a youth grouping in the area known as Dzuka Chilomoni Community Organization (DCCO) decided to mobilize funds to minimize the pressure that their community hospital is facing. The grouping managed to buy an oxygen cylinder and other hospital accessories.
Kelvin Mithi, chairman of the organization emphasized the importance of community residents in helping their communities for their own benefit.
In an interview with Xinhua, Mithi said that the organization was so concerned with inconveniences that people in the area have been facing due to a shortage of resources such as oxygen cylinders that help to treat people with COVID-19.
"We are so excited that we have donated this item...this is just the continuation of what we have been doing for our community. We are hoping that we are going to be an example to other communities in Malawi in developing our communities. As residents we should not just sit down waiting for the government to help us," he said.
Receiving the donation, Shupi Mzinganjira, Acting Chief Nurse at the hospital could not hide her excitement over the development.
"Am so happy that today we have received these items which will aid our day-to-day activities in assisting patients. At first, it was very hard for us to accommodate COVID-19 patients at the hospital because of limited resources. But thanks to people in our community who have shown a good gesture by helping themselves through this donation," Mzinganjira said.
"I would like to urge every Malawian to be responsible in the fight against COVID-19. As hospitals, we are facing a lot of challenges including lack of resources, therefore, what these youths have done today should be an eye-opener to other communities and organizations in the country," she said.
The donation also spiced up the commemoration of World Health Day which falls on April 7 every year. This year, countries celebrated the year under the theme "Building a fairer, healthier world". It is hoped that as different initiatives are being done to combat the virus, the world is going to become a healthier place than before. Enditem
