{"id":2788,"date":"2020-05-17T19:36:27","date_gmt":"2020-05-17T19:36:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.karongadiocese.org\/?p=2788"},"modified":"2020-05-17T19:36:27","modified_gmt":"2020-05-17T19:36:27","slug":"covid-19-preparedness-and-response-action-taken-by-diocese-of-karonga-to-date","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.karongadiocese.org\/index.php\/covid-19-preparedness-and-response-action-taken-by-diocese-of-karonga-to-date\/","title":{"rendered":"Covid-19 Preparedness and Response: Action Taken by Diocese of Karonga to Date"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coronavirus disease, pneumonia of unknown cause detected in Wuhan, China, was first reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 31st<\/sup> December, 2019. The outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 30 January, 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 11 February 2020, WHO announced a name for the new coronavirus disease: COVID \u2013 19; and declared it a pandemic on 11 March, 2020. As of 5 May, 2020, the world has registered 3,659,103 positive cases and 252,573 deaths. As of the same date, Malawi had recorded 41 confirmed cases and 3 deaths; with one case recorded in Karonga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Diocese of Karonga has taken a number of steps in Covid-19 preparedness and response. This therefore presents the actions taken by the Diocese of Karonga and progress made in the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Establishment of Advisory Committee to the Bishop on COVID-19 (ACB)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 23rd<\/sup> March, 2020, Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka presided over extra-ordinary meeting on coronavirus involving Curia staff members, Lusubilo Community Care staff and Tuntufye Radio representative. As there were variations in the level of preparedness and response, need for coordinated efforts at Diocese level was felt. To this effect, the Bishop established Advisory Committee to the Bishop on Covid-19. The Committee is chaired by the Caritas Secretary, Mwawi Shaba, and it comprises of selected members of Curia staff, representatives of Diocesan health facilities, Lusubilo Community Care and Tuntufye FM Radio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aim of the ACB is to strengthen the protection of people within the Diocese of Karonga from COVID-19 and provide treatment and care for those suffering from the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bishop
Bishop Mtumbuka with members of the ACB and some Curia staff after a meeting on COVID-19<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Procured and installed life-saving Oxygen Concentrators and power generators in all its 5 health facilities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Diocese of Karonga has so far procured and installed 12 oxygen concentrators and 5 generators in all five health facilities of the Diocese, namely; Atupere Community Hospital, Hope Clinic, Kaseye Health Centre, St Anne\u2019s Community Hospital and St Clara Clinic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Oxygen
Oxygen Concentrators<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Power-generators-being-checked-before-dispatching-them-to-health-facilities\"
Power-generators-being-checked-before-dispatching-them-to-health-facilities<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Refurbishing and Customizing an Ambulance  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Diocese if in the process of refurbishing and customizing an ambulance to the level of an Intensive Care Unit for ferrying critical patients to Mzuzu Central Hospital from areas under the Diocese of Karonga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Refurbishing
Refurbishing ambulance in progress<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Setting up an Ambulance Rapid Response Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A specialised team comprised of 10 medical, nursing personnel  and drivers to be stationed at the headquarters to provide emergency response when the pandemic becomes acute in the Diocese. Members are drawn from the 5 health facilities of the Diocese. These will be supported by the government district hospitals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conducting training to all staff in all the 5 heath facilities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Workers in Diocesan health facilities have been trained about COVID-19, preventive measures, contact tracing and operation of treatment equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Training
Training session for health facility staff members<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Procure and deliver PPE to all workers of the Diocese including in all the 5 health facilities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"PPEs
PPEs delivered to 5 health facilities<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Carrying awareness to staff, priest and local Church leaders<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Awareness
Awareness meeting with priests<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
A meeting on ECM Directives with Deans and Members of ACB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Training
Training of personnel at Chipunga Farm on COVID-19 and prevention<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Demonstration
Demonstration on proper hand washing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Training of Pastoral Council members from 12 parishes in the Diocese<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Training
Training of Pastoral Council members from 12 parishes in the Diocese on Covid-19<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Bishop
Bishop Mtumbuka with members of Diocesan Laity Council after the meeting at Kaseye<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Promoting prevention measures in all Diocese establishments including offices and prayer centres and promoting the same in families<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Faithful
Faithful wash hands before & after Sunday Liturgy at Chibanji Prayer Centre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Figure 3: Faithful wash hands before & after Sunday Liturgy at Chibanji Prayer Centre before suspension of public liturgical celebrations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Curia
Curia staff at Bwiba practice social distancing during weekly update meetings that include reminders on Covid-19 preventive measures<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Broadcasting radio programme and messages<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Diocesan Radio, Tuntufye FM, broadcasts countless programmes and messages on COVID-19 reaching out to over 1 million people in the north of Malawi<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Developing and disseminating posters on COVID-19<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A total of 145300 posters have been produced and distributed in the Diocese of Karonga<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financial Support<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n