Scotland-Malawi Covid-19 Coordination Meeting 13
We invite SMP and MaSP members, key stakeholders and partners in Malawi to join our 13th Scotland-Malawi Covid-19 Coordination meeting.
Over 90 organisations and key individuals joined us from across Malawi and Scotland for our 13th Scotland-Malawi Covid Coordination meeting on Tuesday 23rd February 2021.
Download the meeting agenda here
Speakers
This meeting was structured around key topics requested by Members and Partners in Malawi, including mental health, schools reopening, oxygen supply in Malawi and the role of faith groups.
We were delighted to hear from the below speakers (click their names to watch their contribution):
David Hope-Jones, SMP Chief Executive, introduced the meeting
Professor Johnstone Kumwenda, Chair, Covid Response Team, College of Medicine and Professor of Internal Medicine, who gave a general overview of the Covid situation in Malawi
Prof Macpherson Mallewa, Principal of the College of Medicine, extending his thanks for Scotland's coordinated approach to working with Malawi through the pandemic
Raphael Agabu, Director of Quality Assurance, Malawi Ministry of Education, who offered a brief on re-opening of Schools in Malawi
Vessium Chikhoza, Department of Special Needs and Inclusive Education, Ministry of Education, who briefed the meeting on the impact of Covid in Malawi on special needs education.
Alberto Gregori, Chair, Scotland-Malawi Oxygen Supply Coordination Group, who shared an update on actions taken by the Scotland-Malawi Oxygen Coordination Group since the 25th of January Covid Coordination meeting and the Scotland-Malawi Emergency Oxygen Appeal.
Mphatso Nguluwe, Health Director, CCAP Livingstonia Synod, who spoke about the work of the CCAP fighting Covid-19 in the north of Malawi.
The mental health implications of Covid-19 was a key focus of this meeting. We heard from the following experts:
- Dr Olive Liwimbi, Psychiatrist, Zomba Mental Hospital
- Dr Donncha Mullin, University of Edinburgh
- Thandiwe Mkandwire, Exec Director, Malawi Health Users and Carers Assoc (MEHUCA)
We also had project updates from: Tom Hunt, Medic Malawi; Cathy Radcliff, EMMS International; and Mike Beresford, Zambesi Mission.
David Hope-Jones, SMP Chief Executive, summarised key points from the meeting and proposed next steps.
After the formal close of the meeting there was an informal discussion amongst those who wished to speak further on topics raised.