Petroleum Importers Limited (PIL) has donated 1500 intravenous drips valued at K4.5 million to Blantyre District Health Office (DHO) in a quest to combat cases of cholera.

Operations Manager, Edmond Pingani expressed commitment to intensify efforts aimed at supporting government in enhancing provision of quality health services in the country.

Pingani said this is response to the Cholera pandemic as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy which focuses on efforts of assisting government in the provision of quality social services in the areas of health and education.

Pingani said: “Cholera is claiming lives, affecting a lot of people, young and old. The government is doing all it can to stop the pandemic through mass vaccinations, awareness campaigns and provision of medication but is overwhelmed.

"We are aware that most hospitals are experiencing a shortage of medication to treat this outbreak resulting in more deaths.

"The shortage of ORS, proper cholera treatment water, and ringer’s lactate, antibiotics and many more made it difficult for hospitals to combat this disease."

Pharmacy Technician at Blantyre DHO Vuso Tembo, hailed PIL for the donation.

Tembo said: “Despite the fact that the cases are dropping it only calls for more efforts to ensure consistency until the outbreak is controlled."

As of Wednesday, March 8, 2023 the district had 7360 cumulative cases of which 201 died and reported 54 new cases.