As COVID-19 continues to hit people in Malawi, including government ministers, technocrats and businesspeople, President Lazarus Chakwera has been making weekly addresses updating Malawians on the need to follow safety measures. 摘要维护-简易编辑器

During one of his addresses on January 17, Chakwera appealed for collective efforts in dealing with the virus and said those who have ideas about how to better deal with it are welcome to make suggestions.

Many people heard the call and acted in different ways. But someone who has stood out in his response is Stanley Onjezani Kenani, a Malawian currently based in France and employed by the United Nations.

Writing on his Facebook wall, Kenani called on Malawians to contribute whatever money they could to buy personal protective equipment for the country's hospitals, which are in dire need. To facilitate his initiative, he formed a group called COVID Response Private Citizens.

Making a statement

Kenani is a well-known writer who has twice been shortlisted for the Caine Prize for African Writing and has been proactive in setting up a committee to oversee the inflow of contributions. It comprises himself, United Kingdom-based Thandi Hara, Malawi-based Masankho Stable Mbizi and the country's Society of Medical Doctors President Victor Mgonjetsi Mithi.

Kenani's thousands of social media followers were quick to respond to the call for funds. Since the group's formation on January 15, 2020, people from all walks of life have opened their hearts and their wallets, with donations ranging from millions of Malawi Kwacha to single figure amounts. Everyone from politicians and churches to sportspeople and individual citizens have contributed.

One of the biggest donations came from Standard Bank which provided 8 million Malawi Kwacha ($10,370).

Kenani told ChinAfrica that a friend's cry for help from his hospital bed moved him to the point of action.

"Paul Msoma, a friend who was hospitalized at Kamuzu Central Hospital [in the capital Lilongwe] made an SOS call on social media. The hospital had no oxygen pressure regulators [also known as flowmeters]. Friends put together money quickly and bought him one. Unfortunately, Msoma died two days later. However, I felt that with a few friends on social media, maybe we could put together some money and buy a few more flowmeters and other medical equipment [to help others in the same predicament]. That was why I started this initiative," said Kenani.

By late January, the initiative had bought 40 oxygen cylinders and 40 flowmeters for Malawi's four central hospitals, namely Queen Elizabeth, Kamuzu, Zomba and Mzuzu. Kenani has dismissed suggestions that his initiative started because government failed to source enough money to deal with the situation.

"The government is not failing. We are a poor country and we do not have resources for everything. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment where we, citizens, have to do our part to help douse the fire," he said.

Kenani said the government is doing a lot, but citizens need to also do their bit, no matter how small. "What is also encouraging is that people from other countries who appreciate our cause are also contributing," he said.

In the interests of transparency and accountability, a private account was opened for the COVID Response Private Citizens initiative.

Speaking in an interview, Mithi said as someone with primary information about the pandemic, COVID Response Private Citizen's response is commendable.

"It is important because it helps to save lives in the country. COVID-19 has overwhelmed hospitals and government's response is not enough as this was not planned," he said.

Mithi noted that among urgent needs in the country's hospitals are oxygen cylinders, equipment and drugs.

The doctor expressed worry that COVID-19 patients who would have survived had there been oxygen are dying, hence the need for more urgent financial assistance.

"The situation is bad and the number of [COVID-19 related] deaths keep rising. The number of people that are found with the epidemic [also] keep increasing. We therefore appeal for more assistance so that we can contain the situation. We have challenges in infrastructure and human resources," said Mithi.

According to the WHO, up to January 31, there have been 23,020 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 643 deaths in Malawi. The deaths include the country's Minister of Transport and Public Works Sidik Mia and Minister of Local Government Lingson Belekenyama.

Example of sacrifice

Malawian Minister of Health Khumbize Chiponda also expressed gratitude for what Kenani is doing for the country.

"He is the son of the soil who is patriotic. He is responding to calls which we made to partners, organizations and people of goodwill to assist with resources and equipment, because we [government] are overwhelmed. He has heeded the call which is a good example for many people," said Chaponda.

She also confirmed receiving 40 oxygen cylinders (by late January) from the initiative for referral hospitals and called on other people and institutions to emulate the example.

"As government, what we like in Kenani is his transparency in the transactions. He does things openly, which is encouraging. To win this battle, we need a collective approach, therefore, everyone has to take part," said Chiponda.

She also agreed that the initiative does not mean that government has failed, but that it is just complementing its efforts in dealing with the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Kenani's work has reached the ear of President Chakwera who appreciated the efforts made.

Speaking on January 24, during his weekly address, the president described such initiatives as sacrificing.

"Let me also commend the efforts of the Society of Medical Doctors [part of the initiative], which has raised over 100 million Kwacha ($129,780) from the private sector to go toward the COVID-19 fight. Another commendation goes to the COVID Response Private Citizens who have managed to raise over 50 million Kwacha ($64,890) from Malawians and friends of Malawi all over the world as well as another initiative providing our frontline health workers with food on a daily basis," he said.

Chakwera said the reason he singled out these initiatives from other equally impactful acts of generosity is because they are examples of Malawians making sacrifices for their own country.

"I thank those leading these initiatives for responding to the needs [of the country] and my call for all-hands-on-deck. Just because government has rolled out a [COVID-19] response does not mean other responses are not needed. We are in this together," he said.

Kenani confirmed donations had reached 118 million Kwacha ($153,140) by January 31, 33 million Kwacha ($42,800) of which had already been spent on oxygen and drugs. CA

(Print Edition Title: Proactive Citizenry)

Reporting from Malawi

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