JOINT STATEMENT BY CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR

We, the civil society organizations in the Malawi Health Sector at both national and sub national levels note that the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has reached epic proportions globally. Locally, we recognize that cases of COVID 19 continue to rise thereby posing serious threats to many lives of women, men, boys and girls.

As Government contemplates on the next steps to protect the lives and livelihoods of Malawians, we hereby jointly make this statement:

1. APPRECIATING EFFORTS

• We appreciate the efforts that the Malawi Government and other stakeholders have taken so far in responding to the COVID 19 Pandemic.
• It is very encouraging to note that the Government has set up a special Cabinet Committee on COVID which is providing oversight leadership in the COVID 19 response.
• We are pleased that a COVID 19 Response Plan is in place and various stakeholders in the health sector were involved in its preparation steps. Guided by this response plan, we appreciate that the following is being done:
  • Screening of people entering the country, and eventual closure of airports
  • Awareness raising of the masses on Covid-19, which has involved others in their corporate social responsibility such as media houses and mobile phone service providers.
• Involvement of various stakeholders (other MDAs, development partners, international NGOs, local CSOs and the private sector) at weekly Health Cluster meetings.
• Assurance that 2,000 health workers are being recruited to beef up health-care workers staffing levels.
• Assurance that personal protective equipment (PPEs) for health workers are being procured and distributed.
• Setting aside of funds towards Malawi’s response to coronavirus.
• Reports of placement of 20 beds in the Mchinji isolation room,
• Districts have started receiving infrared thermometers.
• Regular updates to the nation by the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 and the Ministry of Health through the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM).

2. NOTABLE GAPS AND AREAS REQUIRING ATTENTION

While we appreciate the above stated steps taken by the Government, we have noted the following as gaps that require urgent attention:

• Missing of a National Covid-19 Response Committee comprised of various stakeholders such as the Executive, Judiciary, Parliament, civil society organizations, traditional leaders’ representatives, faith-based organisations and political parties, which can scrutinize policies and plans before they are taken to the general public.
• Missing of a structure which can bring together and tap ideas of presidents of all political parties, convened by the State President, so that there is a united approach to the pandemic by our political leaders.
• Awareness raising is yet to reach most parts of the rural areas, which is creating information gap.
• Failure to fully understand Covid-19 by most Malawians thereby believing there is no recovery once you get coronavirus.
• Some people on self-isolation failing to comply with set conditions thereby risking widespread of the coronavirus.
• Journalists are not wearing personal protective equipment in their line of duty.
• VAT still remaining on essentials commodities such as water, sanitizers and soap which could compromise hand-washing compliance by some ordinary Malawians.
• Some pedestrians and cyclists passing through Malawi borders without being subjected to screening.
• Lack of screening at some border posts such as Namizana and Mkanda in Mchinji because the district has only 4 infrared thermometers.
• Inadequate personal protective equipment for health workers, immigration officers, and Malawi Revenue Authority officers at ports of entry.
• Non-disclosure of locations (not actual houses) of people who test positive, which can help people be cautious when in such locations.
• Prisons are still congested despite the consideration by the President.
• Public transport has not reduced fares despite the reduction of fuel prices thereby benefiting owners of buses more.
• Holding of press briefings at a hotel by the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 when the Capital Hill has board rooms and would not cost much money.
• No policy to force employers supply their employees with sanitisers.
• There are no special guidelines for protection of vulnerable groups such as women, children and person with disabilities, in the context of Covid-19.
• Poor use of face masks and hand washing facilities by some citizens. Some buildings seem to have buckets for hand washing just as a formality.

3. RECOMMENDATIONS

In light of the above identified gaps, we recommend the following:

• Consultative and accountable response measures and engagement of wider bodies:
  • The Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 should be turned into a National Covid-19 Response Committee by incorporating various stakeholders such as the Judiciary, Parliament, civil society organizations, faith-based organisations and political parties so that policies and plans going to the general public receive wide input before doing so.
  • There should be meetings of presidents of all political parties, convened by the State President, so that there is a united approach to the pandemic by our political leaders.
  • All employers should be tasked to supply their employees with sanitisers.
  • CSOs should be involved in implementation of Covid-19 Response Plan, which should include use of the resources Government is setting aside.
  • Government should ask all media houses to supply their employees (journalists) with sanitisers and personal protective equipment.

• Increased/improved case management capacity and protective materials for health workers:
  • Completely close all the borders. Those that want to enter Malawi must be subjected to institutional quarantine and at their own expense.
  • Screening should be done in all major bus depots in cities and districts by health workers to contain local transmission.
  • Supply the personal protective equipment and sanitizers to immigration officers, Police Officer and Malawi Revenue Authority officers at ports of entry.
  • Increase numbers of infrared thermometers so that every health facility, including in rural areas, must be able to screen patients.
  • Much as we appreciate issues of human rights of those who test positive for Covid-19, locations (not actual houses) of where they stay should be disclosed. Sensitization of the general public on evils of discrimination against people who test positive for Covid-19 should be intensified.

• Awareness raising:
  • Intensify awareness raising so that people know more about Covid-19, against discrimination and the correct use of face masks and hand washing facilities.
  • At least 15 percent of the funds meant for Covid-19 response should be directed to awareness raising through use of public address systems at night around communities, printing & distribution of more IEC materials and utilization of government extension workers from other MDAs (Community Development Assistants, Social Welfare Assistants, Forestry Assistants, Agricultures Extension Development Officers etc.) and other existing structures such as ADCs, VDCs and chiefs).

• Revise the self-isolation protocol by stopping the self-isolation system and have all people who test positive and those returning to Malawi from abroad on an institutional quarantine.

• Adequate facilities for treatment & isolation:
  • Increase numbers of fully furnished quarantine homes.
  • Decongest the prisons as soon as possible by pardoning the elderly, the critically ill, breast-feeding mothers and those who have served a greater part of their sentences. In addition, ensure that prison wardens and new convicts are screened every time they go into contact with inmates so that coronavirus is not brought into prisons.

• Government should force public transporters to reduce fares by the same proportion fuel was reduced.
• Efficiency must be practiced to ensure more resources go into the fight. This should include stopping of holding of press briefings at a hotel by the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19, as the Capital Hill board rooms would be cost-effective.
• Government should remove VAT on water, sanitisers and soap. It would be better if water bills are reduced by 50 percent.
• People living with HIV and other chronic conditions i.e. diabetes, hypertension etc. should be allowed full and unhindered quality health services to clinics of their choice.

• Lockdown:
  • People should not be charged utility bills.
  • Those who tested positive for Covid-19 and those who recently entered Malawi from abroad should be on institutional quarantine.
  • CSOs must be accredited to still operate and discharge their services in public awareness on Covid-19.
  • Government should outline how vulnerable Malawians (the poor, people living with HIV/AIDS, persons with disabilities) who cannot sustain themselves during the lockdown, will be taken care of. This should include consideration of provision of nutrition support to the most vulnerable to avoid other equally detrimental health conditions.
  • Ensure protection of vulnerable groups (women, children and persons with disabilities) during lockdown with awareness raising on GBV through IEC materials. Abuse and violence against children and women by any member of the security people be reported to helplines (116 – Child Helpline, GBV Crisis 5600).
  • Sensitize parents to spend more time with their children checking what they are seeing on the internet and social media to minimize abuse and violence, as the children have stayed a long period of time in the home.
  • Accredit some public transporters after meeting some standards, such as having hand sanitisers, so that patients, people living with chronic diseases (people living with HIV/AIDS, people with diabetes etc) and healthcare workers can use to and from health facilities. A complete ban of public transport may demand availability of transportation from Government, which may not be managed.

SIGNED BY

• Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN)
• Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Coalition
• Civil Society Agriculture Network (CISANET)
• Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN)
• Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC)
• Nkhoma Synod Church and Society Program
• Network of Journalists Living with HIV/AIDS (JONEHA)
• Citizen Alliance
• National Association for People Living with HIV and AIDS in Malawi( NAPHAM)
• Malawi Network of Religious Leaders Living with or personally Affected by HIV and AIDS (MANALERA+)
• Malawi Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (MANET+)
• Nkhoma Church and Society
• Christian Aid
• NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGO GCN)
• NGO Coalition On Child Rights (NGO CCR)
• Action AID
• Palliative Care Association of Malawi (PACAM)
• AMREF Health
• YouthNet and Counselling (YONECO)
• Federation of Disability Organizations of Malawi (FEDOMA)
• Community for Disease Prevention and Management (CDPM)
• Centre For Human Rights Education, Advice And Assistance (CHREAA)
• Malawi Interfaith AIDS Association (MIAA)
• Malawi Network of AIDS Service Organisations (MANASO)

With solidarity of Council for Non-Governmental Organisations of Malawi (CONGOMA)