By Andrew Mkonda

Lilongwe, December 16, Mana: Ministry of Health in conjunction with Family Health International (FHI 360) have launched Covid-19 Test to Treat (T2T) initiative, which is aimed at encouraging people to go for rapid Covid-19 test and get treatment immediately once confirmed positive.

Speaking on Friday at Nsanjiko Primary School ground in the area of Traditional Authority Chadza in Lilongwe during the launch, FHI 360 Behaviour Change Communication Advisor Dunia Chiwala said the World Health Organization (WHO) has now approved medicine that can treat Covid-19.

Chiwala said once one has been confirmed positive, he or she will be given medication immediately which is supposed to be taken for only five days.

“Let me take this opportunity of encouraging the people who are noticing signs of Covid-19 for five days, such as general body pains, sneezing and coughing; they should rush to health facilities and get tested and receive treatment immediately,” she said.

However, Chiwala said despite having these medicines, people are still encouraged to keep on observing all Covid-19 preventing measures like washing hands with soap frequently to avoid contracting the disease.

Lilongwe District Chairperson Dan Mtayamanja, who was the guest of honour during the event, thanked the Ministry of Health and FHI 360 for timely intervention against Covid-19 which he said is a threat to the development of any country.

Mtayamanja said it is sad that the country lost a lot of people due to Covid-19 pandemic who could contribute to the development of the country.

He then urged people to go for rapid Covid-19 test so that they should be assisted medically once they have been found positive.

The T2T initiative will currently be implemented on pilot phase in three districts in the country, namely Lilongwe, Zomba and Mangochi before rolling it across the country.

According to Ministry of Health records, the country has lost about 2,686 people to Covid-19.