18/01/2021
DIRE NEED FOR YOUR URGENT FINANCIAL AND MATERIAL HELP TO SUPPORT THE EVER INCREASING NUMBER OF COVID-19 PATIENTS
"May the good Lord have mercy on us" was a message I saw on Dr Ngoma's Facebook wall. He is the Director of Kamuzu Central Hospital, the largest referral hospital in Malawi. The situation was probably getting out of hand at the hospital if him as the most senior person would post a message like this. My guess was right when I talked to Dr M. Mithi, the president of Society of Medical Doctors (SMD).
Through out our conversation, he sounded distressed with the overwhelming situation in our hospitals due to COVID- 19. In brief, this is what I got from him:
1. The number of COVID patients is increasing everyday and the death toll is increasing as well.
2. There is acute shortage of medical supplies to deal with the situation. He cited that one COVID patient needs about three cylinders of uninterrupted oxygen every 24hrs, and one cylinder costs about MK150,000.00 (that is K450,000.00 per day per patient)...that is oxygen only, excluding other medical needs.
3. There is acute shortage of medical staff to support in the front line. About 8 medical workers have already died of COVID in line of their duty and cumulatively about 700 are either infected or quarantined due to exposure. In short, numbers of front line workers to support you and me is going down, as COVID cases are on the rise. A patient on life support needs constant monitoring and it's very critical that we have adequate staff.
4. These 'soldiers' of ours that are risking their lives in the frontline need to be motivated and adequately incentivised...they are giving their all to save as many lives as possible.
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF WHAT IS URGENTLY NEEDED
1. Adequate supply of oxgen cylinders. He says it is depressing to frontline health workers to see someone losing their life due to lack of this vital equipment
2. Need for adequate funds to recruit more health workers to support during this crisis. In short, we may have equipment in place, but if there is no one on the battlefield, then we have a very big challenge.
3. Adequate supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to frontline health workers. Without PPE, we may lose or expose more of our frontline workers. The list of PPE required will be shared in the comment section.
You may donate the items or you may provide funds for the said purpose (details are provided below)
4. Need for funds to compensate the frontline workers who are risking their lives to save Malawians. I personally think that it would be ideal to put all front line workers on life insurance. It may also be ideal if their risk allowance be adequate to motivate them.
5. People should follow COVID-19 guidelines. The doctor was worried that despite the rising crisis, people are still walking around without wearing masks, social distancing or sanitising. By protecting yourself and your loved ones, you will reduce the pressure at the hospital. Please let us all follow Covid-19 guidelines.
OUR INITIAL FINACIAL TARGET as concerned citizens is K50million, to provide the urgent support for both the frontline health workers as well as for procuring oxygen cylinders and PPE. Your donation should be deposited straight to the official account with details provided below:
Account Name: Society of Medical Doctors
Account Number: 1261843
Bank: National Bank of Malawi
Branch: Capital City
MO626 : 1261843
Official recieving numbers for Airtel money and TNM Mpamba are as follows:
TNM Mpamba: 0884417706 (Dr. Clara Sambani)
Airtel Money: 0999245155 (Isaac Wana)
At this time, any amount you may donate will go a long way to support during the crisis. If you have K500 or K1,000 or K2,000 or K5,000 or K10, 000 or any amount higher, please send it to the above stated account and share us the evidence of your transfer in the comment section or on whatsapp using +265 888 03 23 27 so that we account your donation. If you prefer your donation to be anonymous or confidential, please let us know using the WhatsApp number provided.
Lets join hands to save as many Malawian as possible. When any of your relations goes to the hospital, they should be able to recieve adequate treatment. Lets join hands to save our nation. May God richly bless you as you participate to save lives.
Nicholson Kumwenda (+265 999 661 361, ceo@mvuma.com)
Please share this message in your WhatsApp groups and to all your friends and relatives.
