The Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) on May 13, 2020 supported the Thyolo District Hospital Office with some of its recent Covid-19 related innovations at a function held at the district’s main hospital.
Among other innovations, MUST has come up with an automatic water and soap dispenser for hand washing, ventilator, 3D printed face masks, laser cut face shields, 3D printed face shields, Covid integrated tracking system, UV disinfectant unit, decontamination unit and disposable gowns.
However, the donation to Thyolo District Hospital only comprised automatic water and soap dispenser and laser cut face shields.
In his speech during the handover ceremony, MUST Council chairperson Dr Andrew Daudi said as a university MUST realizes that it can only demonstrate its relevance by championing knowledge generation through research and outreach so that the output is shared with communities and used to solve some of the society challenges or is used by authorities to shape policy direction.
“Universities, through the same research, are also expected to champion innovations by applying technology. Covid-19 is a science problem; it is a public health challenge which needs scientific innovations to address. This is what informed our contribution towards this pandemic because we knew people will be expecting something from us,” said Dr Daudi.
He added that the donation is out of realization that health care workers may have the heart to fight the pandemic but sometimes they are challenged by lack of resources, hence the need for other stakeholders to come in and support.
“Through our academics and facilities, we are also ready to carry out research around Covid-19 to generate more knowledge around it. It is our hope that through these initiatives, we are not only contributing towards the fight against Covid-19 but also helping Malawi to realise some of its development goals under the MGDS III, the Africa Agenda 2063 (the Africa We Want) and SDGs.
If you are familiar with these documents, you will agree that issues of health feature highly and the relationship between a healthy nation and its advancement in national development cannot be overemphasized.
“Let me also thank Thyolo District Hospital and all health care workers in Malawi for the wonderful job they are doing in saving our lives. Please know that you are our heroes. With you around, we know we will be safe,” said Dr Daudi, adding that MUST is ready to get ideas from communities and partners that can jointly be translated into something tangible in the fight against Covid-19.
He also disclosed that the university has Covid-19 testing equipment in USA and is looking for partners who can help with its transportation to Malawi. The university wants to set up a high-tech Covid testing centre but is facing logistical challenges to ship the equipment to Malawi.
In her remarks, Thyolo District Senior Medical Officer, Dr Gloria Kalolo thanked the University for the Donation she described as timely.
“I am particularly happy that the donation targets health workers with protective and hygiene mechanisms. As people in the forefront of the fight against Covid, we need protect ourselves from contracting the virus.
And hand washing is one of the most critical measures of hygiene practices so these items will be very helpful,” she said.
Dr Kalolo said the district has so far registered nine of the 62 national cases and that of the nine, eight contracted family members who contracted the virus from the initial victim.
She also called on other well-wishers to support them in their areas of need, especially on personal protective equipment (PPEs).
