MALAWI: Head of State Calls for Prayer and Fasting as Covid-19 Hits Hard on Nation
Luke Bisani
Malawi has turned to God through a three-day prayer and fasting asking for mercy in a fight against the novel corona-virus that has affected over two thousand citizens in the country.
Through a statement released by the Ministry of Information in the country, the newly sworn in Head of State Rev. Dr Lazarus Chakwera has urged the citizens to dedicate three days in asking God’s intervention power in fight against the spread of Covid-19.
“His Excellency Dr. Lazarus Chakwera State President of the Republic of Malawi, calls upon all religiously-inclined citizens and residents of Malawi to join in observing three days of fasting and prayer from Thursday, 16th July to Saturday, 18th July, against the spread and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic,” reads the Statement signed by Minister of Information Gospel Kazako.
The statement adds that the prayers are to be lifted up for the recovery of those infected and affected by the virus, and the protection of health care providers who are assisting Covid-19 patients in Isolation centres across the country.
Chakwera is also seeking God’s intervention on diligence of those who have not yet contracted the virus and effectiveness of the Task-Force Committee that is responding to the pandemic in the country.
Malawi is among countries in the world brought to a standstill following the Corona-virus crisis that has claimed thousands of lives across the globe.
By July 16, 2020, over 2,716 cases were reported to be active; 1077 patients reported to have recovered; 51 deaths due to the virus; and 22,296 tested across the country.
Meanwhile, people in the country are advised to continue adhering to the preventive measures of the pandemic as schools are still closed with public gathering being conducted with restrictions.
As a country already grappling with other crises related to governance and corruption, there are all indications that newly instituted government needs to take Covid-19 as its a matter of urgency and focus on improving the capacity of its health system to be able to prevent further spread of the virus and to ably give health care to those infected.
