Old Mutual Malawi has responded to President Lazarus Chakwera's call for the corporate sector to support the fight against cholera in the country by donating 60 beds to the Blantyre District Health Office. The donation was made during a handover ceremony held in Blantyre, where Edith Jiya, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Old Mutual Malawi limited, said that the donation of 60 cholera beds is part of the company's intervention efforts in response to the current cholera outbreak.
Jiya stated that Old Mutual Malawi is a responsible business and is concerned about the ever-increasing number of cholera cases across the country, which poses a significant threat to the health of their stakeholders, including customers and the broader community. She added that by providing these cholera beds, they are helping to ensure that health institutions within Blantyre DHO are better equipped to deal with the current cholera outbreak.
Jiya also emphasized that the company's business philosophy is to positively impact the communities where they operate. She stated that as a company, they believe that the fortunes of the society generally are also the fortunes of the company. Therefore, they are part and parcel of the community, and when the community is struggling, it is also their duty to fight alongside the community.
Jiya highlighted that as a life insurer, they are always looking out to ensure that their clients are healthy and that their lives are well-protected. Whenever outbreaks occur, they threaten the livelihood of Malawians and the lives that they provide insurance for. Therefore, it is in their interest to ensure that Malawians are living a well-protected life.
The CEO revealed that the company has set aside MK21 million to help in the cholera fight, of which K9.5 million has been used to procure the 60 cholera beds, K6 million was given towards the construction of a cholera camp in Lilongwe, while MK5 million was donated to Malamulo and Chiringa Hospitals in Thyolo and Phalombe under CHAM for the procurement of medical supplies.
The Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Milliam Jere Nyasulu, commended Old Mutual for the timely gesture as the district continues registering more cholera cases. She also acknowledged the commitment and dedication shown by health workers across the country and pledged Old Mutual's commitment to continue supporting the health sector for improved health service delivery.