In its efforts to increase Covid-19 vaccine uptake, Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) has taken the vaccination exercise to highly populated institutions such as schools, market places and prisons.
Speaking Saturday at Mzuzu Prison, MRCS District Coordinator, for Mzimba North, Innocent Chikuni said the organization decided to take the initiative to the prison considering that it its in most cases congested, hence becoming a challenge to observed physical distance which one of the prevention of the virus.
Besides the vaccination campaign, MRCS donated cartons of bathing and laundry soap.
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Chikuni said it was exciting to see most inmates at the prison getting the vaccine, a development which he attributed to successful awareness of the disease at the institution.
“We are also continuing with door to door vaccination initiative so that we reach out to many people as possible to reduce the risk of Covid-19 in Mzuzu City, its surrounding areas and the country as a whole,” said Chikuni.
Public Relations Officer for Mzuzu Prison, Macbeth Wasambo commended MRCS for taking the initiative to the prison, which he said would go a long way in reducing the risk of Covid-19 at the prison.
“We keep some people who convicted for entering the country illegally and we do not know their health status. In case some have communicable diseases such as Covid-19, it will mean that every one hear is at risk of contracting the disease.
This initiative will protect the inmates and officers from the disease,” said Wasambo.
He then warned Malawians against facilitating illegal entry of immigrants saying illegal immigrants should be reported to law enforcing agencies so that they are taken to the right places.
“We have in our custody more than 300 illegal immigrants mostly from Ethiopia and will be repatriated after serving their sentences. This contributes to congestion and affects our budgets especially for food,” said Wasambo.
MRCS through a one- year Saving Lives and Livelihoods Project, which has been financed by Master Card through Africa Center for Disease Control intend to contribute to government efforts to ensure that 70 percent of the country’s population receive Covid- 19 jabs by November 2023.
Reported by George Bulombola
