Malawi just like the rest of the world has been hit by Covid 19. With new cases rising steadily everyday it is clear that the pandemic is no longer hanging on the fences but has come home to stay.
From 3 cases in April to over 350 in just two months. This means an increase in the work load of medical workers in the country, a familiar situation in almost all countries in the world at the moment. The coming in of Covid 19 has obviously strained Doctors, nurses and other medical workers who are already burdened with other ailments like HIV and Aids, Cancer and other diseases.
The medical workers are putting their lives on the line for the sake of saving lives from the pandemic. They are enduring long hours of work just to save more lives. People around the world are honoring the medical workers through various ways from setting aside a moment just to cheer the doctors through the clap of hands to composing songs or poems in their honor.
One such composition is a song called “My White Army” done by 11 artists from African countries directed and produced by the CEO of Merck Foundation Rasha Kelej, an organization working with First Ladies in Africa to fight infertility and discrimination of people with fertility problems.
Kelej said the song is to acknowledge the great sacrifice of doctors, nurses and medical workers during these tough times in Africa and across the world under the umbrella of her personal initiative, ‘Separated but Connected’.
“I strongly believe, it is important for the people on the front line; doctors, nurses and health workers to know how grateful we are. I don’t want this to be a one-off thank you, but one that becomes a regular act of gratitude across our communities.
I have heard stories of horrible behavior against our health workers, such as, landlords are forcefully evicting them due to paranoia that they might spread COVID -19. It is shocking, illegal and inhuman behavior”, said Kelej. She further said through the song which is in English, French and Arabic, singers representing Africa are expressing love, respect and gratitude for doctors, nurses and health workers, the front lines of coronavirus battle. She said It is the message of support for those braving the outbreak to help others.
“This song is my personal contribution to COVID-19 response. But at the professional level, through Merck Foundation, we have raced to respond to coronavirus in Africa in partnership with 18 First Ladies in four main focus areas which include; supporting the livelihood of thousands of casual workers and women during the lockdown, launching the “Stay at Home’
Media Recognition Awards, launching an inspiring children storybook ‘Make the Right Choice’ to sensitize children & youth about Coronavirus and building healthcare capacity through providing online one year diploma for African doctors in Respiratory medicines and Acute Medicines”, said Kelej. ‘My White Army’ has been performed by A Pass from Uganda, Cwesi from Ghana, Kambua from Kenya, Mahmoud Al Leithy from Egypt, Nikki from Nigeria, Rozzy from Sierra Leone, Salatiel from Cameroon, Sean K from Namibia, Sunita from The Gambia, Tom Close from Rwanda and Wezi from Zambia.
Merck Foundation is working with the country’s First Lady Prof Gertrude Mutharika through a program called ‘More Than a Mother Initiative’ to reduce challenges that childless women face in society.
Listen to the song on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KelejRasha/videos/253121202691626/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CA472PInk10/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rashakelej/status/1267411136359673856
