Think Pink Malawi donates chemotherapy drugs to Kamuzu Central Hospital
Harold Kapindu –Nyasa Times
Think Pink Malawi, a breast cancer awareness organisation on Tuesday donated chemotherapy drugs worth half a million to Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH).
According to Think Pink’s Blandina Khondowe, the drugs will be administered to about 100 cancer patients from proceeds raised through a fashion show that was organised by Kudakwashe Munyikwa, a Bishop Mackenzie final year student who lost her father to cancer a few months ago.
“In a bid to raise cancer awareness, raise funds and in memory of her late father who succumbed to colon cancer, Kudakwashe Munyikwa organised a Pink Ribbon fashion show at Lilongwe Wildlife Centre in February this year. The show raised about K300, 000 and the top up has come from other well wishers,” said Khondowe.
She added that Think Pink Malawi decided to make the donation after hearing reports that the hospital had run out of cancer drugs.
“We got information that KCH had run out of chemotherapy drugs. As cancer activists, we had to put together the money realised from Munyikwa’s fashion show and money from other well wishers to buy the drugs. We bought the drugs from Zed Pharmacy,” she disclosed.
Echoing Khondowe’s remarks, Munyikwa said the Pink Ribbon fashion show idea came after losing her father, Cryton Munyikwa from colon cancer.
“I would love to do more of these shows to help cancer patients seeking medical attention and raise awareness to save more lives,” she stated. “Early cancer detection is one of the best weapons Malawi has in the fight against cancer.”
Munyikwa added: “All proceeds from the fashion show went to Think Pink Malawi. The funds have solely been used to purchase essentials for the care of cancer patients at Kamuzu Central Hospital.”
Munyikwa who is graduating from Bishop Mackenzie on Wednesday, also teamed up with Think Pink Malawi, Fashion Malawi Edition (FAME) and Sadia Mustafa of MaAfrica Couture to create awareness of breast and cervical cancer and fundraising.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Kamuzu Central Hospital Director Dr. Jonathan Ngoma commended the gesture, saying it was timely and would go a long way in assisting patients at the hospital.
“Cancer has always been there since the time in memorial but the issue has been challenges in diagnosis and drugs. Currently, the heavy needs outweigh resources available. We need more well wishers to assist us,” Dr. Ngoma appealed.
He further pointed out that the hospital has no cancer ward but was quick to promise that a cancer clinic is coming soon.
“We have a wide spectrum of problems. Apart from not having a cancer ward, we have one cancer specialist, shortage of staff and space,” he disclosed.
Nonetheless, the KCH director commended the cancer specialist describing him as dedicated.
Also at the function, Khondowe was flanked by Think Pink Malawi colleagues Zilanie Gondwe Nyundo and Eleanor Nkosi.
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though its sometimes hard to fight corruption due to the fact that sometimes they paid less and work extra hours let me hope they will deliver the medication to the patients in the facilities without any issues. And at the end of the year be able to present accountability for the drugs issued.