The Japanese Government, through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has donated 28 three tonner hino trucks and five units of cold rooms with generators to the Malawi Government.

The donated vehicles and cold rooms will be used by the Ministry of Health in Covid-19 crisis response to strengthen the capacity of healthcare systems in Malawi.

Speaking during the handover ceremony on Wednesday in Lilongwe, Japanese Ambassador to Malawi Youichi Oya said they understand the importance of access to quality healthcare services, especially during the challenging times of Covid-19 pandemic, cholera outbreak and the devastation caused by tropical cyclone Freddy, which have highlighted the vital role of health care services.

He said, “I hope that the government of Malawi will utilise the equipment efficiently and effectively to respond to current and future health crises in this country.”

He added Japan will stand in solidarity with Malawians and they will continue to work closely with the government and other partners to support the health sector in this country.

On her apart, the Minister of Heath Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda said the Malawi Government is very grateful for the donation, saying the trucks are going to assist the health sector even beyond Covid-19.

Chiponda added that the donation will also help to fight cholera outbreak through delivering materials from one place to another.

She further said the five cold rooms will assist to store the Covid-19 vaccine in different regions, saying part of covid-19 response includes vaccination.

“So, to us the coming in of these trucks is timely and we are very grateful for the donation, which has cost the Japanese Government over K3 billion, which is a lot of money,” said the minister.

Chiponda appealed to directors who are responsible for district hospitals to ensure proper maintenance of the vehicles and cold rooms.