TDB DONATES MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND PPE TO HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND VOLUNTEERS IN MALAWILilongwe, September 29th 2020 – As part of its Covid-19 Emergency Response Programme (CERP), the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (TDB) has donated locally-procured personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies to Malawi, in collaboration with the Malawi Ministry of Health and Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 and the Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS).
The donation includes: 300 pairs of gumboots, 50 screening thermometers, 350 sterile gowns, 2,500 N95 facemasks, 200 heavy duty aprons and 40,000 disposable aprons.
The equipment was handed over during a ceremony which took place on the 18th of September 2020 at the Mangochi District Hospital by, on behalf of TDB, Mr. Peter Simbani, Non-Executive Director for Malawi, Burundi, Seychelles, Ethiopia and Madagascar on the TDB Board of Directors, to Hon. Khumbize Chiponda, MP, Minister of Health and Co-Chair of the Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19 and Mr. Levison Changole, President of the Malawi Red Cross Society.
The donation to the Malawi Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 will benefit Mangochi and Mzimba District Hospitals while the donation to the Malawi Red Cross Society will benefit volunteers and citizens, particularly in rural areas where the society operates.
Peter Simbani said that: “medical supplies and PPE are instrumental to making sure that those who work on the front lines as the country continues to institute measures to curb the spread of the pandemic, are protected, and able to continue serving. Likewise, screening kits will support early detection efforts, especially in urban areas, where there is a higher population density, and therefore higher potential for infection”.
MRCS President Mr. Levison Changole said the donation will go a long way in protecting the volunteers as they assist the communities in the fight against COVID 19. “This donation we believe is a recognition of the dedication and hard work of the volunteers and staff of MRCS in the fight against the pandemic” said Changole.
TDB President and Chief Executive Mr. Admassu Tadesse said that “to bolster our Member States’ efforts in mitigating the effects of the Covid-19 crisis, TDB is pleased to support the Government of Malawi and other role players in the fight against Covid-19. We leverage our efforts in promoting the well-being of the communities we serve with a two-fold response – through CERP, in addition to the roll-out of reprioritized financing interventions in the region via TDB’s operations complex”.
“The delivery of PPEs and other interventions depend on each of our Member State’ specific needs. We work closely with every stakeholder in order to ensure that CERP resources are allocated thoughtfully and efficiently. In that spirit, we source the items donated from the region whenever possible, so as to support private sector and employment as well” commented Mary Kamari, TDB Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations Executive.
About TDB
Established in 1985, the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (TDB) is a multilateral, treaty-based, investment-grade development financial institution, with assets of US$6.7bn. The Bank’s mandate is to finance and foster trade, regional economic integration and sustainable development through trade finance and project and infrastructure finance.
www.tdbgroup.org
About Malawi Presidential Task Force on Covid-19
Malawi’s former President formed a 22-member Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 co-chaired by Dr. John Phuka from the University of Malawi (College of Medicine) and the Minister of Health, Hon. Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda. The task force also includes Ministers of other key ministries, professionals from public and private sectors, academia, the leader of the Opposition, the Chairperson of the Public Affairs Committee, the Chairperson of the Malawi Human Rights Commission, a senior chief and CSOs. The task force is tasked with coordination of COVID-19 response at the national level and reports directly to the President.
About Malawi Red Cross Society
Malawi Red Cross Society started in 1932 as a Branch of British Red Cross. Act 51 of Parliament of 1966 established MRCS as a voluntary organization with a mandate to provide aid to people affected by conflict and disasters.
https://www.redcross.mw/
Media contacts
Anne-Marie Iskandar, Senior Communications Officer
Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations
Trade and Development Bank
Anne-Marie.Iskandar@tdbgroup.org
Felix Washon
Malawi Red Cross Society
Communications Specialist
fwashon@redcross.mw
+265999955721
Joshua Malango
Presidential Task Force on Covid 19
malangojoshua@gmail.com
