UNFPA donates MWK52 million worth of cholera supplies to Malawi Government

Malawi: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) handed over to the Malawi government supplies worth millions of kwacha for treating and managing cholera disease on Thursday, writes Watipaso Mzungu.

The donated items were worth MWK51,800,000.00.

Enock Phale, Deputy Minister of Health, said after receiving the donation at the Ministry of Health Headquarters on Capital Hill in Lilongwe, that the supplies had arrived at the right time and would help the government implement cholera control activities.

“These supplies, especially the tents we are receiving today, are mainly for the six of the districts, which are affected by cholera. We are happy that today we are also receiving the dignity kits for the women as these are necessary especially when women are displaced and being treated for cholera,” said Phale.

He stated that the government, with the help of partners, has put in place measures and activities to prevent and control the outbreak.

The Deputy Minister emphasised the importance of regular cholera control coordination and stakeholder meetings at the central and district levels, such as health cluster meetings.

Explained Phale, “We have also put in place the following cholera prevention and control measures/activities, which include prompt treatment of cholera patients, surveillance on cholera is another activity. Additionally, the ministry has intensified surveillance on cholera and all diarrheal diseases. All districts are reporting on cholera, even those without cases are doing ‘zero reporting’.”

He also stated that the ministry is collaborating with the media, community leaders, political leaders, and religious leaders to spread cholera prevention messages to the public.

At the same event, Phale revealed that the outbreak had been contained in four districts and that the disease had been reported in 18 districts in the previous 14 days.

He stated that on September 28th, 2022, 50 new cases and no deaths were reported.

“The cumulative cholera cases and deaths reported since the onset of the outbreak are 3, 497 and 103 respectively. A total of 3, 302 people have recovered and 92 were/are currently in the treatment centres on 28th September. Of the affected districts, Nkhatabay reported most of the cases (723 with 19 deaths) followed by Blantyre (586 cases and 23 deaths), and then Rumphi (501 cases and 10 deaths),” said Phale.

According to the Deputy Minister, the majority of the deaths occurred in communities or at health facilities after patients arrived late for treatment.

Miranda Tabifor, UNFPA Officer in Charge in Malawi, stated in her remarks that her organisation is committed to working with the Malawian government and other partners to combat the outbreak.

Tabifor applauded the Government of Malawi's tenacious efforts to ensure that effective response measures are put in place and implemented through the various clusters and established mechanisms.

“I wish to reiterate UNFPA’s and indeed the entire UN family’s, commitment to this partnership with the Government to ensure Malawi emerges victorious and defeats this virulent outbreak. As UNFPA, we are working in collaboration with our UN Partners under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, NGOs and government implementing partners towards the response of this,” she said.

She observed that limited resources make it difficult for women and girls, particularly pregnant women, to be considered and designated as safe spaces.

Tabifor expressed hope that the tents they donated would allow the ministry to establish clear screening, isolation, and treatment procedures for suspected and confirmed cases identified in triage.

She said: “We believe that designated treatment centres with obstetric capacity need to be identified where lifesaving treatment (in case of imminent delivery, need for post-abortion care) while awaiting referral and transfer regardless of the severity of the cases can be offered. At the same time, we are also supporting dignity kits, which contain washing and bathing soap, a cloth and a pail which will ensure proper hygiene and storage of safe drinking water by the women.

“At the moment, we are targeting the 6-districts that are severely affected based on the data shared with the emergency response team within the Ministry of health. These items were bought targeting Blantyre, Nkhotakota, Chikwawa, Rumphi, Nsanje and Karonga.”

Tabifor assured the ministry that UNFPA will continue to raise funds and work with the government to ensure that adequate resources are available to provide care to our clients, particularly maternity care, as well as to protect health workers.

Meanwhile, Phale has reminded Malawians to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop cholera or any other disease, emphasising that medical supplies for cholera treatment are available in all health facilities across the country.