Lessons learnt from the rapid implementation of reusable personal protective equipment for COVID-19 in Malawi

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has challenged health systems and healthcare workers worldwide. Access to personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential mitigate the risk of excess mortality in providers. In Malawi, cost PPE represents an additional drain on available resources. event repeated waves disease over several years, development sustainable essential. We describe development, early implementation rapid scale up a reusable gown service at tertiary-level hospital Blantyre, Malawi. Challenges included worker perceptions around potential reduced efficacy cotton gowns, need plan for surge capacity ongoing training laundry staff safety hygiene procedures. Benefits system increased coverage, decreased waste disposal. feasible, acceptable cost-effective tertiary centres providing specialist COVID-19 care height pandemic. This innovation could be expanded beyond low-income settings.