EAM urges religious leaders in Malawi to encourage congregants to seek medical help

Malawi: The Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM) has advised religious leaders in the country to stop discouraging their congregants from seeking medical help when they are sick, writes Moses Nyirenda.

This announcement was made by EAM's General Secretary, Reverend Francis Mkandawire Tuesday at Mponela in Dowa, during a Malawi faith leaders' declaration of commitment to promoting COVID-19 vaccination, which was facilitated by EAM with support from KFW through the ACT Alliance.

Mkandawire expressed concern about the behaviour of some religious leaders who discourage their followers from seeking medical attention, potentially putting their lives at risk.

Mkandawire encouraged religious leaders to take a leading role in encouraging their followers to seek medical assistance when they are ill.

The Qadria Muslim Association of Malawi (QMAM) representative, Sheikh Jaafar Kawinga, also encouraged faith leaders in the country to be advocates for disease prevention and treatment, such as polio and cholera, as this has been effective in bringing about positive change in communities.

In the declaration of commitment to promoting COVID-19 vaccination, the country's religious leaders re-committed to supporting COVID-19 vaccination among their followers and the public at large.