Malawi has not been spared from effects of COVID 19. The effects have revolved
around social, economic and political angles, and have been immense on the
elderly and people with disabilities. The uptake of the vaccines has not been
encouraging as the targets have not been met. This has been triggered by reduced
numbers of people being recorded on daily basis. In fact, due to the reduced daily
cases, the Ministry of Health is providing such updates on weekly basis. The fact
that cases are being recorded on routine basis is a clear indication that COVID 19
still exists and there is need to take precautionary measures. The Council for NGOs in Malawi – CONGOMA in partnership with Global Call to
Action Against Poverty – GCAP, People’s Vaccine and Malawi Health Equity
Network are conducting this campaign to assist in raising awareness and provide
an opportunity for advancing relevant policy demands to authorities at national and
global levels. This year, the clarion call is “Never Again”, implying the scale of devastation to
human life should never happen again. Malawi is among the least vaccinated, with only 36% vaccinated, against Africa’s 29% and the global 65%. Malawi was
supposed to vaccinate at least 70% of its people by 2022, but the target has not
been reached due to resistance and misinformation. This means more people might
continue being infected.. Low demand for the vaccines among Malawians and
access remain the main impediments in Malawi and Africa in general. Profiteering by the big global pharmaceutical companies from vaccine manufacture
and sale continues to be more important than saving human life. Technology
transfer for decentralized manufacture of the vaccine is far from effective due to
stranglehold on Intellectual Property Rights by the big pharmaceutical companies
supported by some of their National Governments. This year, we are saying;
Never Again to letting the borders free from monitoring against Covid-19 cases
Never Again to misinformation on Covid-19
Never Again to misconception on Covid-19 and Covid-19 Vaccines
Never Again to all the myths and lies about Covid-19 and Covid-19 Vaccines
Never Again to not protecting ourselves and our people from Covid-19
Never Again to misappropriation of Covid-19 Funds
Never again to increasing new cases of Covid-19 infections!
OUR CONCERNS
As CONGOMA and partners, we have made some observations and would like to
register our concerns as follows:
1. There is limited collaboration between Government and the Civil Society in
the fight against the pandemic
2. The focus on Covid-19 has now been shifted to other equally threatening
issues a midst us for example Cholera and Cyclone Freddy (recently)
3. Covid-19 is not receiving as much serious attention as it should be
4. People are not getting vaccinated as much as they should
5. There is poor management of data on Covid-19 from primary health facilities
6. The political interference at the beginning of the pandemic has negatively
impacted the uptake of correct information by the people
7. Development partners continue to channel their funds where they have interest
and not where there is need
8. Despite the availability of vaccines there is limited demand among the people
OUR DEMANDS
1. Include CSO representatives in the Presidential Task force on Covid-19
2. Strengthen the African Centre for Disease Control – CDC, especially on getting
vaccine patents or developing our own vaccines
3. Lobby of patents from within and outside Africa
4. Develop tailor-made messages for different groups of people as one size fits all
messages are not working. 5. Embrace Universal Health Coverage to enhance preparation of future pandemics
6. Establish Emergency Health Fund
7. Ensure consistent vaccine supply to the points of care
8. Intensify Social Protection
“No-one is safe until everyone is safe” Increase awareness, Covid-19 is still
around!