The Northern Region Water Board has joined the national COVID-19 response efforts by among other things donating personal protective equipment worth MK5 million to the Mzuzu Central Hospital.

The donation is part of the Board’s community support to health workers who are risking their lives every day, helping all Malawians to overcome the pandemic.

The equipment includes 3000 disposal aprons, 180 heavy duty aprons, 2500 face masks, 350 protective goggle and 5000 rubber gloves.

“We will continue to support local initiatives that help our communities strengthen and thrive for the future,” explained the Board’s Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Titus Mtegha.

The Mzuzu Central Hospital has since expressed its delight at the donation.

“This could not have come at a better time than this when we are grappling with the COVID 19 pandemic. The equipment will go a long way to protect our health workers,” said Mrs Bondo, Chief Nursing Officer at the Hospital.

The Board has also promised to keep water flowing, so that its customers are not at risk to the pandemic due to lack of potable water.

In a related development, the Board in March 2020 effected a Government directive to reduce water tariffs by 3 percent as one way of cushioning customers from the negative effects of the pandemic. The reduction covered the months of March, April, May and June 2020.

Continuing with its efforts on community support, the Board has also donated 25 refuse bins valued at MK2 million to Karonga Central market to improve sanitation and hygiene at the market in the wake of the pandemic.