By Alex Mlanga

Blantyre, December 25, Mana: Cancer Survivors Quest (CSQ), an organisation that supports cancer patients has appealed to the public for donations to assist five cancer patients to access medical treatment in hospitals.

According to CSQ Executive Director, Chikhulupiliro Ng’ombe, the organisation aims to provide financial support to cancer patients, covering transportation and food costs; thereby, reducing out-of-pocket expenses and patient dropout rates.

Ng’ombe noted that cancer patients from low-income backgrounds often struggle to access medical care due to financial constraints.

“An average person cannot carter for transport and accommodation to access medical care as it is free in Malawi but to travel to hospitals is costly since some come from far places like Mangochi and need to travel to Blantyre while some need to go to the hospital twice a month, of which it is expensive undertaking,” he said.

Established in 2011, CSQ uses cancer survivors to promote hope and support to those affected by the disease in Malawi.

“We use those that have survived cancer to promote hope to others who are suffering from the disease and through their contributions we support the cancer patients with transport and other materials,” said Ng’ombe.

Meanwhile, CSQ has raised awareness in the whole country and introduced many programmes with the aim of supporting cancer patients in Malawi.

“Without blowing our own trumpet, we have managed a lot in terms of awareness we have done a lot of awareness throughout the nation. We have been to Mzuzu, Zomba, Blantyre and Lilongwe; we also have online awareness, screening programme and cancer awareness clubs which support patients,” Ng’ombe added.

One of the cancer survivors from Blantyre, Mathias Chinthenga expressed gratitude for the support from CSQ. 

“For me, I cannot say much, all that I can say is to thank God almighty for allowing me to meet with these people because they have helped me a lot to receive cancer treatment as I was having some problems with money for transport, without them I could have just been staying

“I was lacking care because I am single, I don’t have parents, money for transport no one was assisting me. I was thinking of committing suicide but since I met with these people my life changed,” said Mathias.

Mathias, therefore, encouraged well-wishers to donate to the organisation, noting that cancer is a chronic disease that requires sufficient support.

Malawi Health Equity Network Executive Director, George Jobe commended CSQ, pointing out that the health sector needs more partners to complement its efforts in health service delivery.

“We have some cancer patients who don’t have money to go to the hospital to receive treatment but when they get support their lives are saved. So, we commend the initiative of soliciting funds from well-wishers and well-wishers whose contributions have saved lives,” Jobe said.

However, Jobe called on people to support such initiatives as those initiated by CSQ in a bid to reach out to more people with the support.

By Agatha Kadzinje

Blantyre, December 25, Mana: In an attempt to meet the demand for blood due to malaria cases and road accidents, Malawi Blood Transfusion Services (MBTS) has called upon those eligible to donate blood to save lives during this festive season.

In a press statement released on December 20, 2024, MBTS announced plans to conduct blood donation campaigns across the nation to supply blood to authorized hospitals and save the lives of patients requiring blood transfusions.

“These activities will be conducted in various churches, villages and trading centres. Therefore, the requirements for a donor include healthy males and females aged between 16 and 65 years, with a body weight of at least 45kg and who are not anemic,” read the statement.

MBTS also disclosed that during the 2023/2024 financial year, they collected over 122,000 units of blood, which saved many lives, including accident victims, cancer patients, anemic children and mothers with pregnancy complications.

As part of its mandate, MBTS collects, tests, processes and supplies safe and adequate blood and blood products to all patients who require blood transfusions in authorized hospitals across Malawi.

Health expert, Maziko Matemba told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Wednesday that Malawians must develop the habit of donating blood regularly to help meet the demand for blood in hospitals.

“Blood plays a crucial role in the human body and without it, the body cannot function,” Matemba explained.

Matemba also urged Malawians to avoid activities that could endanger their lives, noting that the high rate of accidents during the festive season could be reduced.

“Malawians should report to their nearest hospital if they experience any form of body malfunction, rather than waiting until after the festive season,” Matemba advised.

Matemba commended MBTS for their timely appeal, emphasizing that this period sees an increased need for blood due to malaria and road accidents, although the need for blood persists throughout the year.

By Willy Kadewere

Chikwawa, December 25, Mana: In an attempt to enhance quality education, Chikwawa District Council recognized efforts by teachers in the 2023/2024 Primary School Leaving Certificate Examinations (PSLCE) performance through award presentations to best teachers, Primary Education Advisors (PEAs) and schools.

The event took place at Chikwawa Secondary School hall on Tuesday under the theme: "Recognizing Teachers' Excellence, Backbone of Quality Education."

In his remarks, Chikwawa District Council Chairperson, Martin Goche appreciated the efforts of the teachers, saying there is a significant change in terms of PSLCE performance in the district.

"As compared to 2022-2023 PSLCE results where only 70 learners were selected to National Secondary Schools. This year's PSLCE performance has improved with at least 104 learners selected to National Secondary Schools," said Goche.

Goche who was the guest of honour during the event has since encouraged teachers in the district to continue providing quality education for the council to become one of the best-performing districts.

Director of Education and Sports for Chikwawa District Council, Gertrude Zimba Jumbe said the significance of motivating teachers and recognizing their efforts in providing quality education cannot be overemphasised.

Jumbe said despite teachers working under challenging factors, such as a high teacher-to-learner ratio, they have produced good results as a district compared to the past two years; hence, the recognition.

Head Teacher of Sekeni Primary School which emerged top in the best school category, Gladys Mugawa, expressed satisfaction with the award, saying they have been motivated to continue doing better as a school and also as individuals.

Apart from awarding teachers, the district council has also distributed 10 motorcycles to PEAs as one way of facilitating their mobility.

By Brian Wasili

Mwanza, December 25, Mana: Zambezi Evangelical Church (ZEC) National Men’s Ministry has embarked on a tour aimed at reaching out to different groups of underprivileged people with different kinds of gifts as one way of celebrating Christmas with them.

During the visit to Mwanza Prison, the group preached the gospel before donating assorted food and non-food items worth about K1 million to the inmates and staff as part of celebrating the festive season.

In an interview, ZEC National Coordinator for Men's Ministry, Pastor Jangiya Mwembere said the donated items which included soya pieces, salt, sugar, body lotion and assorted types of soap among others were mobilized by Christians of the church as well as members of the ministry.

Mwembere said that Jesus Christ was teaching people to love one another; therefore, one way of expressing it is by ensuring that challenges faced by marginalized groups are minimised.

“Sometimes people that are in difficult circumstances including the inmates are neglected by society but as followers of Jesus Christ we would want them to feel that God still loves them regardless of their situation and that is why we are celebrating with them the birth of Jesus Christ,” said Mwembere.

In a separate interview, ZEC’s Mitsidi Synod General Secretary, Pastor Robert Yanduya expressed gratitude, saying the group was introduced in the church about two years ago with an aim of doing charity work by reaching out to the hopeless.

Yanduya said the ministry has already provided skills on financial management, literacy, counseling and guidance on family matters and how to deal with depression so that suicide cases among men were reduced in the church. 

He, therefore, commended the group for fulfilling its purpose by doing what Jesus Christ was teaching the disciples about love.

“Apart from visiting prisons, the group has also targeted hospitals, orphanages, child headed families and those with chronic illnesses among other groups,” said Yanduya.

In his remarks, Mwanza Prison Chaplain, Sergeant Rashid Mwachande commended ZEC men’s ministry for coming forward with the support, noting that it was timely.

“The institution cannot provide the items to all the beneficiaries due to financial constraints,” explained Mwachande.

Speaking on behalf of the inmates, Steven Benard commended ZEC for the gesture, saying the support will address some challenges they face in prison such as lack of basic needs including soap.

“The donation is also going to promote our personal hygiene so that we stay healthy while here like those who are outside,” said Benard.

All the 350 male inmates at Mwanza Prison benefited from the donation.

By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, December 25, Mana: Chitipa Resource Mobilization Committee on Saturday donated 400 liters of diesel, 10 torches valued at K100, 000.00 and K112, 000.00 cash to Chitipa Police Station.

Speaking on Tuesday when he presented the donation, the committee's chairperson, Fidelis Kambalame, said that the donation is aimed at assisting police officers in intensifying patrols during the Christmas and New Year Festive Season in the district.

Kambalame said that a lot of things happen in communities during festivities and in most cases such events lead to security lapses hence the need for increased police visibility, hence the donation.

“We decided to mobilize resources for the men in uniform so that they can patrol the district, especially major crime hot spots to ensure safety and security of people and property.

This is the first time the committee decided to fundraise for the Chitipa Police Station and we hope to make an annual initiative,” Kambalame said. 

The officer in Charge of Chitipa Police Station, Joshua Mazengela, applauded the committee for the donation

He added that the donation will ease some of the challenges the police officers face in patrolling the district.

“Chitipa District borders two countries, Tanzania and Zambia and it is very important for us to conduct patrols during festive seasons because the district becomes busy with cross-border trade business.

We assure the committee that we are going to use the donation for the intended purpose. we will conduct patrols during day and night in all the locations,” said Mazengela.

By George Mponda

Karonga, December 24, Mana: A grouping of female civil servants from various sectors at Karonga District Council Tuesday donated assorted items that included soap, sugar and snacks to the Children’s Ward at Karonga District Hospital.

The Chairperson for the grouping, which is, also known as, Women of Substance, which is a Mercy Sichali, said that members made individual contributions to raise money for buying the items.

"The items have been distributed to young patients and their guardians including nurses on duty so that they join others in celebrating Christmas although they are hospitalized," said Sichali.

Speaking after receiving the donation, one of the guardians Christina Kanyika of Mwanganda Village in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu said that she was grateful for the women's gesture.

"Receiving gifts from fellow women, means a lot to me because I know that they empathized with our situation and may God bless them for this noble course," said Kanyika.

Director of Health Services at Karonga District Council, David Sibale hailed the grouping for cheering children who are hospitalized at the health facility

"These children will spend Christmas celebration in the hospital, away from their families and friends, this donation will help bring them joy, comfort, and a sense of normalcy during the holiday season," said Sibale.