MANAonline
MoH, MIAA engages Zion, Apostolic faiths on health uptake
By: Steve Chirombo
Dedza, January 21, Mana: Ministry of Health says the faith community represents nearly 80% of the population it serves, therefore, it is essential for this community to have a proper understanding of the importance of seeking medical health services.
The remarks were made on Tuesday at Mountain View Lodge in Dedza District where the Deputy Director in the Ministry of Health, Responsible for Health Promotion Services, Dr. Kondwani Mamba, opened a three-day engagement between his ministry, Malawi Interfaith Aids Association (MIAA) and the representatives from Zion and Apostolic Churches.
According to Mamba, Malawi as a God fearing nation, has people with different religious beliefs and such meetings are crucial for successful health service delivery in communities.
“Normally we face some challenges in the ministry when it comes to response to outbreaks, even as we deliver our normal health services. We have some religious beliefs that prohibits members from accessing medical services.
“So, in this meeting, we have invited such faith communities so that we engage each other, and make sure that we understand the issues that surround us and why as a ministry we would want everyone to access health services,” stated Mamba.
He said they want to reach a compromise where the faith community should be encouraging as well as mobilizing their congregants to access health services as it is supposed to be.
Mamba further said that he noted that from the beginning of their discussions, the participants impressed him and he realized that it was one of the key forums they were missing as a ministry.
“It is motivating to also note that the two sides are sharing experiences and we hope by the end of this meeting we are going to reach a consensus so that everyone in the country regardless of where they worship, should be accessing health services,” said Mamba.
MIAA, Director of Programs, Wellington Nkhoma, said Zion and Apostolic faiths are two major religious institutions that have the tendency of not patronizing medical health services in the country.
“So with support from the United Nation’s Children’s Funds (UNICEF) and with technical expertise from MoH, we are trying to understand barriers that hold them from accessing the medical services while also aligning these in terms of what they do when it comes to healing and what the ministry does on the same and bringing them to a common ground,” he said.
He added that it is their wish that at the end of the three days, the two faith groups, understand the concept of healing as presented in the bible but also be able to understand the relationship between, faith, healing and education which are key to making sure that the country develops.
On his part, Prophet Dr. Lex Kalolo, Leader of Altar and Liberty Church of All Nations, who is also President of the Association of Prophets in the country, said apart from hearing from the two sides they will also reach a consensus of how all this affects the well-being of people.
“During our deliberations at the start of our engagement, we agreed that good health, education and beliefs go together and were all brought together by the missionaries. And this is what we wanted to see happening. It is our wish that colleagues under Zion and the apostolic faith should start seeking medical services and also access education,” he said.
Kalolo said the meeting is also necessary as the country is eyeing for the Malawi 2063 Agenda which calls for unity hence for the faith leaders to understand their roles in advocating for health uptake, good beliefs and access to education, thereby having a healthy Malawi that will see everyone achieving the MW2063 Agenda together.
Fire claims couple`s lives at Che Mussa
By Milcah Mathias and Alex Mlanga
Blantyre, January 21, Mana: Fire has claimed the lives of a man and his wife at Che Mussa Market in Blantyre City where the couple had a shop selling among others paint, paraffin and other solvents such as thinners which are highly flammable.
An eye witness, Patrick Makwala, of Che Mussa Market said the accident happened during lunch hour when the wife was preparing lunch.
“It happened when a customer came to purchase thinners. Due to the heat of the charcoal burner, the fire immediately broke out and caught the whole shop which later on claimed their lives,
“We tried to put down the fire using sand and water but to no avail. We only managed to rescue their 20-year-old son, thanks to the firefighters who were passing by and managed to put off the fire,” added Makwala.
Chairperson of Che Mussa Market, Hastings Kabango, described the accident as tragic, saying this had never happened at the market before.
The bodies of the deceased have been taken to Queen Elizabeth Central hospital by police for post-mortem. However, the fire has affected more than 10 other shops which led to damage of property.
Kasungu District Council presents MK25.5 billion budget
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, January 21, Mana: Kasungu District Council proposes to spend K25.5 billion in the 2025/2026 Financial Year prioritizing infrastructure development, increasing social protection beneficiaries and building resilience against natural disasters.
The figure excludes personal emoluments and represents a 56 percent increase from the last year's MK16.1 billion.
Speaking on Tuesday during a draft budget presentation in Blantyre, District Commissioner James Kanyangalazi said the proposed financial plan must be a cause for elation amongst the people of Kasungu District as it will fund various infrastructural development initiatives that will help in quality service delivery.
"In the ending year, we have constructed office and school blocks, health facilities and their staff houses, police units, market structures and extension planning areas, among other projects.
"We are looking at the 2025/2026 budget to be another huge package for the district. Communities in Kasungu must expect a lot of good things coming their way because we cannot talk of poverty alleviation when there is no infrastructure development," Kanyangalazi said.
He pointed out the increase in the number of beneficiaries in the Social Cash Transfer and the Climate Smart Public Works Programmes as good news for the district as many people will be reached out with the social protection initiatives.
"We also expect to continue constructing bridges, improving the road network and promoting irrigation farming by rehabilitating some dams," he said.
Specifically, the council plans to spend MK1.3 billion to boost agriculture productivity, MK343 million to improve access to water and sanitation, MK3.9 billion to fight morbidity and mortality and MK3.2 billion to improve road network and information communication technology infrastructure in an annual investment plan that totals to MK9.8 billion.
It also plans to boost its locally generated revenue by diversifying revenue streams, digitizing revenue collection and enhancing engagements and collaboration with businesses.
Director of Local Government Services, Douglas Mkweta said he expects councils to make budgets that align with national frameworks.
"The main purpose of these sessions is to check if the draft budgets conform to the advice that we provide every year that what is implemented is in line with national frameworks like the Malawi 2063.
"This time we are also looking at climate related issues such as disasters. So we want to ensure that services are provided in line with what is happening on the ground," Mkweta said.
The budget presentations have been facilitated by the National Local Government Finance Committee to ensure that the councils' financial blueprints adhere to principles of effective resource allocation at the local government level.
Minister of Health launches OCV campaign in Balaka
By Mary Makhiringa
Balaka, January 21, Mana: The Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda on Monday launched the Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaign at Dziwe Health Centre in Balaka with a call for all to embrace the vaccine.
Chiponda said all vaccines are safe, well tested and approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), hence the need for people to change their mindset towards vaccines and start utilizing them.
Said Chiponda: “I have launched this OCV here at Dziwe, which is deep in the outskirts of Balaka, to show that good health service delivery must be equal to all despite the terrain or distance of the area.
“Balaka is one of the Cholera hotspots as it has recorded 75 cases and three deaths. That is why we thought of launching the vaccine in Balaka and specifically in this area as an extra measure to minimize the wide spread of the disease.”
The Minister said was impressed with the attitude of Sub Traditional Authority Mpilisi, traditional leader of this area, who was the first to be vaccinated.
“This has also increased the acceptance of the same by the members of the community as few minutes after the launch I saw people in long queues waiting to receive the vaccine. It simply shows that most people now understand the importance of the vaccine,” she said.
Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) Malawi office coordinator for World Health Organization, Dr. Aisi Akoso said as an organization, their aim was to ensure that there is equal access to health for all, and the launch of the Cholera vaccine goes a long way in ensuring that there was equal access to good health services to the people.
“WHO has provided 20 thousand doses of the vaccine and we are also providing technical and financial support for the deployment of the vaccine to the last mile, which means every household in every community identified as a hotspot of cholera, must be reached with the vaccine.
“With the Ministry of Health we are using diverse strategies to reach to the people with the vaccine, we have sites within the health facilities, temporary sites in different places such as high traffic areas like markets, water points as well as the schools, and we also have the door to door team so that everyone from one year above must be vaccinated,” she said.
Patuma James from Chikamana Village within Dziwe Health Centre hailed government for the vaccine saying all her family members and herself were all present and ready to be vaccinated.
“Last year, I came to this facility with my son, 25 years of age who got admitted because of Cholera. I know how dangerous the disease is. I almost lost my son; lucky enough I rushed to the hospital before the worst happened. Let me urge all who are still in denial to embrace this vaccine and have themselves protected,” she said.
The campaign is expected to run up to Friday, January 24, 2025, and once a person is vaccinated, he or she is immune of cholera for six months.
DoDMA to disburse K730 million to hunger-stricken households in Nkhata Bay
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, January 21, Mana: Director of Disaster Preparedness in the Department of Disaster Management Affairs' (DoDMA), Moses Chimphepo, has announced government's plans to disburse over K730 million to support households affected by hunger in Nkhata Bay.
Chimphepo disclosed this on Monday during a briefing to Disaster Risk Management Committee members.
Chimphepo said the initiative is part of the ongoing 2024/2025 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme aimed at supporting families affected by hunger across the country.
"Instead of distributing bags of maize, Nkhata Bay, along with other districts like Kasungu and Mzimba, has been earmarked for the social cash transfer modality for the month of January.
"Each of the 10,494 households that are on the programme in Nkhata Bay will receive K70,000.00 cash, translating to K734,564,444.00," he said.
Chimphepo urged the council to avoid any fraud in the exercise so that intended beneficiaries benefit.
In his remarks, District Commissioner for Nkhata Bay, Rodgers Newa said the social cash transfer modality was good as it will enable beneficiaries to buy a bag of maize and remain with some cash.
"Let me commend DoDMA for this approach. Be assured that we will smoothly carry out the exercise according to your expectation and frameworks, building upon a number of cash disbursement programs that we already have in the district, " he said.
Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee report established that about 5.7 million Malawians will be in dire need of food aid during the lean period from October 2024 to March 2025.
Ayo Landie Shines bright with new Afropop Anthem 'SHINE'
By Priscilla Phiri
January 21, Lilongwe, Mana: Local artist, Landie Lufani, popularly known as Ayo Landie is making waves in the music industry with his latest Afropop single and music video, 'Shine', released on January 20th.
The powerful anthem, which urge listeners to rise above criticism and negativity, showcases Ayo Landie's unique sound, blending traditional African rhythms with modern pop elements.
According to Ayo Landie, the inspiration behind the song was to empower people to believe in themselves and their abilities.
"It just came to my mind and I wanted to create something that would help people overcome negativity and reach their fullest potential," he explained.
He has further promised his fans to expect a series of audio tracks and music videos throughout the year.
A fan of Ayo Landie, Sean Njikho, hailed the new track, by describing it as a masterpiece with a clear message.
He encouraged Ayo Landie to maintain his unique sound and explore new platforms to distribute his music.
Njikho also urged the artist to leverage DJs to play his music in clubs, to reach a wider audience and gain more fans.
In addition to his solo work, Ayo Landie also featured in Crispy Malawi's song titled "Mbiya," further showcasing his talent and expanding his reach in the music industry.
PRISAM Appeals for Reopening of Chaminade Marianist School
By Charles Nkhoma
Lilongwe, January 21, Mana: Private Schools Association of Malawi (PRISAM) has urged the Ministry of Education to re-open Chaminade Marianist Secondary School, which was closed due to allegations of corporal punishment and governance issues.
On Monday, the Ministry of Education, through its Public Relations Officer, Mphatso Nkuonera, confirmed that the school was shut down because it practiced corporal punishment, which is prohibited by law.
However, PRISAM President Dr. Ernest Kaonga has appealed to the government to reopen the school, emphasising that innocent students are bearing the brunt of the closure.
“As PRISAM, we believe the best approach to resolve this matter is for the ministry to invite the school authorities for a roundtable discussion to map the way forward.
I believe that dialogue and engagement are the only viable solutions, as the closure disproportionately affects students, particularly those preparing for MSCE and JCE examinations," said Kaonga.
In response, Mphatso Nkuonera stated that the ministry is unaware of any plans by PRISAM for a meeting and has not received official communication regarding the matter.
“As a ministry, we have not received any formal communication. However, I want to stress that we are open to discussions with PRISAM.
We are also working on plans to support students who are currently idle, especially those preparing for national examinations," he added.
Health Minister opens K49 Million Maternity wing in Balaka
By Paul Madise
Lilongwe, January 21, Mana: Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda on Moday officially opened a K49 million Kwitanda Maternity Wing in Balaka with a call for health workers to ensure improved healthy service delivery in the country.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chiponda said the Maternity Wing constructed in Traditional Authority Nsamala will play a crucial role in fighting against poor health service delivery in the district.
Chiponda acknowledged the long distances as a major maternity challenge the community has been facing.
"Kwitanda Health Center is being given to this community in order to improve the delivery of quality healthcare services.
"Members of this community used to walk long distance to access healthcare services but now that is history." She said.
The Minister commended developmental partners for their support and commitment in ensuring quality healthcare services in the country, further noting their efforts to eradicate cholera outbreaks in the country.
Prior to the opening of the Health Center, Chiponda launched the oral cholera vaccine camping at Dzimwe Health Center in the district.
Speaking after the launch, World Health Expanded Program on Immunization leader, Dr, Aisi Akoso pledged total support to ensure access to quality healthcare services for all.
“The opening of the maternity block here ensures access for all in terms of the cholera vaccine deployment, and WHO supported the country to access cholera vaccines. we are also providing technical and financial support for the deployment of these vaccines to the last mile," She said.
Principal Secretary responsible for administration in the Ministry of Health, James Manyetera said a healthy population as a key milestone for the country to achieve economic sustainable goals.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Balaka South Constituency, Ireen Mambala said women had been experiencing challenges to attain maternity services in the area due to long distance noting the opening of the maternity wing will minimize the challenges.
NLGFC kick-starts 2025/2026 budget review sessions for councils
By Bishop Witmos
Mangochi, January 20, Mana: National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) has kick-started the 2025/2026 budget review for district, municipal and city councils.
The exercise, which is taking place in Blantyre, is aimed at scrutinizing and validating the budgets of councils and cities, thereby ensuring that they align with national priorities and adhere to principles of effective resource allocation at the local government level.
Mangochi District Council was among the first councils that presented their projected budgets on Monday.
Speaking during the session, Mangochi acting District Commissioner, Davie Chigwenembe said that the council budget for the coming fiscal year is pegged at K 8.1 billion.
The budget includes central government transfers of K 7.8 billion, as well as a locally generated revenue of K306 million.
He said that through the budget, the council will priorities infrastructure developments in agriculture, education and health sectors, through the construction of irrigation schemes, rehabilitation of health facilities, as well as construction of girls’ hostels and schools.
‘‘As a district council, we want to advance on winter irrigation farming, to ensure that communities are food secure. Through this year’s budget, we have earmarked some traditional authorities such as Chimala where we will construct irrigation schemes.
‘‘To improve child education, we are planning to construct two girls’ hostels, as well as some school blocks in the district, with resources from Governance to Enable Service Delivery. On health, we will rehabilitate health facilities through the hospital rehabilitation project,” Chigwenembe added.
On finances, the acting District Commissioner said Mangochi was performing well in locally generated revenue in the current fiscal year such that by December 2024, the council collected K226 million, anticipating surpassing a K245 million target.
He added that in the coming financial year, the council intends to collect K306 million from locally generated revenue.
In his remarks, a budget officer at the NLGFC, Jonathan Banda commended Mangochi District Council for performing well on revenue generation.
‘‘In most cases, district councils have difficulties in managing their resources due to large outstanding balances. It appears that Mangochi is doing well, and this is a commendable development,” said Banda.
Rumphi District Hospital targets 36000 people with OCV amid cholera threats
By Thula Chisamba
Rumphi, January 20, Mana: Rumphi District Hospital in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) has rolled out an oral cholera vaccination (OCV) exercise which is targeting 36000 people in the district.
Chief Preventive Health Officer for the district, Sam Chirwa said the move is a proactive response to an alarming upsurge of cholera cases in the district and the neighbouring Mzimba North.
“Currently, we have already registered 29 cholera cases, and the disease is reportedly fast spreading in neighbouring Mzimba North, particularly in areas like Vongo which is very close to us here,” said Chirwa.
He said the current vaccination drive aims to bolster immunity among vulnerable populations, particularly in the wake of the recent cases that have raised alarms about the potential for widespread transmission.
In an interview, one of the bicycle taxi operators at Rumphi Boma, Joel Msimuko said his business makes him susceptible to the infection hence would take the vaccine.
“I took it two years ago, and as per requirement doctors say I have to take it again this year. Even if they would recommend taking it every year, I would be taking it because my taxi business exposes me to the infection more than others,” said Msimuko.
Meanwhile, local health authorities in the district are also ramping up efforts to educate the public about preventive measures against cholera, including proper sanitation practices and the importance of boiling water before consumption.
In Malawi, Rumphi is one of the districts that is vulnerable to the disease. In 2022 over 783 cases and 13 deaths were registered in the district.
Currently, the district hospital has already stationed health workers in various locations throughout the district to ensure easy access to the vaccine during the campaign which will run until January 25th this year.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium ‘Vibrio cholerae’.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), about 1.3 to 4 million cases of cholera and 21,000 to 143,000 deaths are reported each year across the globe.
