Malawi establishes presidential taskforce on corona virus

Government has restructured special cabinet committee on corona virus to presidential taskforce on corona virus.

Announcing this Tuesday night president Muthalika said the new task force will be co-chaired by Minister and a professor in public health who will be reporting to him.

Mutharika said the presidential taskforce will comprise leader of opposition, chairperson of public affairs committee and chiefs’ council among others.

He said below the presidential taskforce there remain various technical committees from both public and private sectors.

The president said government is introducing emergency cash transfer program to serve small scale businesses in major markets in Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu, Zomba and others.

“The program will target a minimum of 172, 000 households for a period of 6 months. each household will be paid electronically through mobile payments 35, 000 kwacha per month from May,” explains Mutharika

The president has urged courts and everyone to do their part to save Malawi from corona virus.

Commenting, Political analyst says inclusion of opposition parties to the covid-19 committee will promote transparency and accountability in the fight against the disease.

In an interview, chancellor collage based political lecturer Associate professor Mustafa Hussein said inclusion of various stakeholders will enhance the much needed debate and scrutiny of ideas and activities towards the fight against covid-19.

Hussein advised political parties in the committee against using the fight against covid-19 to advance their political mileages.

Meanwhile, Health rights activist has welcomed the idea of incorporating technocrats in the presidential committee on COVID 19.

Speaking in an interview with Radio Islam, George Jobe of Malawi Health Equity Network said they should present views of people from each sector they are coming from.

“The committee members should be open to discuss the issues which are in the best interest of Malawians and avoid politicizing it,” says Jobe

He asked people to stop doubting the government on issues of COVID 19 saying the disease is real and it has arrived in the country hence calling for concerted efforts towards the fight against it.

Last week, MEHN wrote the president asking for inclusion of health experts and people from other sectors