AMN - MALAWI: Mkango donates machine to hospital

Mkango Resources Ltd has donated a new state of the art Mindray WATO EX-20 anesthetic machine to the Mercy James Centre (MJC) at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. This machine will help enable the hospital to set up a new operating theatre for emergency operations, specifically for patients who are suspected of having the COVID 19 virus.

The Mindray WATO EX-20 anesthetic machine was purchased from Worldwide Pharmaceutical Distributors who are agents and distributors for Mindray in Malawi.

Mkango Resources president Alexander Lemon said: "We are delighted to donate this anesthetic machine to the Mercy James Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital to help fight the growing pandemic of COVID 19 in Malawi.

"We hope that it will potentially help save many lives in the coming years.

"Mkango is committed to supporting the country in which it operates, as it moves towards the sustainable development of the Songwe Hill rare earths project in Malawi."

Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital consultant pediatric surgeon and Professor of Surgery at the University of Malawi College of Medicine, Professor Eric Borgstein, said: "Surgical emergencies cannot wait. While the hospital is struggling to respond to the new demands of the coronavirus epidemic, the provision of care for patients with acute surgical conditions must go on!

"It is gratifying to see Mkango Resources making such a timely donation, which will benefit all our various patients, not only now but for years to come.

"This new anesthetic machine will enable us to set up a separate operating theatre for patients who may be COVID infected; thereby keeping the existing theatres free for the many daily surgical emergencies. A great example of appropriate, effective and useful assistance to our hospital."

The MJC is in the grounds of the 1000 bed Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, the largest public and teaching hospital in Malawi. The MJC was developed by Raising Malawi, a non-government organisation founded by Madonna, in collaboration with the Malawian health ministry.

Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital Consultant Anesthetist Dr Singatiya Stella Chikumbanje said: "We are grateful for the donation of this anesthetic machine. The arrival of the anesthetic machine is very timely, as it will help in our provision of safe anesthesia for our patients during the COVID period and beyond.

"Hopefully other companies will emulate Mkango's generosity and allow us to provide improved care to all our patients."

Mkango remains focused on completion of the feasibility study for Songwe and development of downstream opportunities through Maginito Limited, which includes Maginito’s 25% interest in Hypromag Limited, a UK-based company focused on rare earth magnet recycling.

www.mkango.ca