Patriots Malawi: shipments

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 ZOMBA– 28/10/24

The day we all have been waiting for is finally here. The journey that started in 2022 has begun to deliver tangible results. Praise be to God for His goodness and faithfulness.

Fellow Malawians, this is not one’s maneffort. It is a culmination of long hours of collaboration, networking, consultations and personal sacrifices of different groups and individuals. 

Briefly, these are:

• Patriots of Malawi• Smiling Surgeons and diaspora in North America• Embassy leadership & staff in Washington DC• Project CURE and the American people• Rotary & Lions Clubs of Malawi• National Bank of Malawi• Old Mutual• Illovo• Press Trust• several individuals here at home through cash or in kind• Ministry of Health• CHAM and • Government of Malawi through MRA for the duty waivers.

It is a true testimony of what can be achieved when people with a common purpose and dedication come together to collectively undertake a task.

Some doubted when we first shared the dream; others believed and hung on and persevered in the face of frustrations and challenges along the way. Thanks be to the daughters and sons of Malawi here at home and in the diaspora who have labored and sacrificed to deliver on their promise. 

The container we are receiving today is the 1st among 100 of them. The total cost of 100 containers is K100 Billion plus. With the nation’s 28 districts, on average each district shall receive 3 containers of medical equipment and supplies. 

Immediately next will be the container for Nsanje, followed by Bwaila district in Lilongwe, Likuni Mission Hospital, Mzuzu Central hospital. Our brothers and sisters inall the 28 districts and local communitiescan now begin to breathe a sigh of relief.

No doubt with this huge medical donation,Malawi’s health care delivery system shall be profoundly impacted.

Let me underscore that the equipment we are receiving is of high quality and in very good condition. Project CURE’s firm commitment to us is that if any such equipment cannot be used in North America, it will not make its way to Malawi.

Ladies and gentlemen, another good news is that this mega medical donation is funded from American well-wishers and outside our national budget. What a relief on our national coffers!

This means our hospitals shall have surplus resources which should start to address other critical areas like equipment repairs and maintenance etc. 

Our appeal to all hospital staff across our nation is to exercise good stewardship over these donations. We emphasize that the equipment and supplies are for the benefit of the ordinary Malawian people who currently cannot access adequate medical attention. 

It would be remiss of me not to address a malpractice that exists within the corridors of our public hospitals. Theft and absence of due care. Some unscrupulous individuals may already be scheming how to steal or help themselves to these donations. Let me sternly warn any such individuals that their illegal actions shall not go without grave consequences. May God’s wrath come swiftly upon anyone who shall dare steal or remove these resources for private or unauthorized use.

In addition, each hospital will have a monitoring & evaluation (M & E) team to assist the respective hospitals with oversight. Both MoH and CHAM have committed in writing to allow these teams to make periodic visits to measure the impact of the donation on the hospitals and make regular checks on the equipment. It is our earnest expectation that hospital management and staff shall cooperate with the M & E so that a symbiotic relationship is at all times maintained between the hospital staff and the said teams.

May God continue to bless our nation and especially the dedicated medical staff in public hospitals. 

Thanks for your attention.