By Brighton Chimsinde

Mchinji, May 1, Mana: Co-Chairperson for the Presidential Task Force on Emergency Committee Dr. Wilfred Chalamira Nkhoma has emphasised on the need for people and stakeholders situated along boarder districts to be vigilant in guarding further the spread of Monkey-pox (MPOX) in the country.

Nkhoma made the remarks on Wednesday, after appreciating what Mchinji District Hospital has done to prevent the outbreak.

He said stakeholders need to join hands in the fight as Malawi recorded its first MPOX case on March 20, 2025 and by Tuesday, 29th April,2025 Malawi has registered five cases in total.

“The impression is very positive as there is good coordination among all stakeholders. They have a joint way of collaborating between port health staff and immigration staff in particular, because these are two areas where people have to pass through and get their passports stamped. 

“The coordination allows them to pick suspected cases and refer specimens to Lilongwe for further testing. The process and the flow are intact and this is good news that Mchinji district is on track,” Nkhoma said.

The chairperson made it clear that the MPOX virus is circulating in the country and that Malawians need to abide by precautionary measures.

“None of these confirmed cases have told us that they have travelled out of the country where there is mpox. We must warn entire Malawians that the mpox virus is circulating in the country somewhere and we must all remain vigilant. Anyone who sees rush and fever where they are should visit the nearest health facility,” he said.

In his remarks, Dr. Yohane Mwale, who is Director of Health services of Mchinji District Hospital, said they were alert on the pandemic, saying their health surveillance officials are on all corners in the district.

“We are on the ground 24 hours, so we are ready to fight it. Worth noting is that our working relationship is very cordial with local and community leaders, as well as our colleagues on the Zambia side.

“In terms of facilities, we have an Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) at the boma that can accommodate 20 patients, while at the Mwame Border we have a holding room,” Mwale said. 

Currently, Mchinji district has not registered cases of MPOX despite being a prone district to the disease, as Lilongwe neighboring district, had three confirmed cases despite sharing boundaries with Zambia and Mozambique.