On 19 July 2021, Malawi Liverpool Welcome Trust Clinical Research Programme (MLW) handed over 100 oxygen cylinders (worth over 18,000 USD) and 100 flow meters to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), the largest referral hospital in the southern region of Malawi.

Speaking after handing over the equipment, MLW’s Acting Director Professor Henry Mwandumba said the gesture is one way of offering support to the government and to health facilities during the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

‘I am happy that the oxygen cylinders and flow meters are now in Malawi to assist through the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has impacted health facilities because of the increased number of patients.
As an institution that has been conducting research in Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and other health facilities, it is necessary to assist in such circumstances. Through the money donated by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine’s #BumpItForward campaign and a grant from Wellcome, our wish to help Malawians is continually being achieved,’’ said Mwandumba.

QECH Hospital Director Sam Mndolo acknowledged the good relationship between MLW and QECH. He explained that the oxygen cylinders will help patients with COVID and other patients even after the pandemic.

“We are grateful for the support that MLW provides to QECH and its sister hospitals. The organisation, through the #BumpItForward campaign and other grants, has invested millions in the fight against COVID-19 by procuring the oxygen plant, oxygen cylinders, flow meters and personal protective equipment.

The relationship between MLW and Ministry of Health will be appreciated by us for many years to come,” said Mndolo.

The ‘Bump it Forward’ campaign aims to protect healthcare workers in Africa against the COVID-19 pandemic. Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme has benefitted from the campaign through the purchase and donations of personal protective equipment (PPE), oxygen cylinders and flow meters.