MANAonline
Care Malawi donates 3 vehicles to DoDMA
By Austin Kananji
Lilongwe, December 13, Mana: In a major boost to disaster preparedness, CARE Malawi, Friday, through the USAID-funded Titukulane Project handed over three vehicles worth USD $90,000.00 (K155 million) to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA).
Speaking at the handover ceremony, at Capital Hill in Lilongwe, Commissioner, Charles Kalemba, said the vehicles will help strengthen the country's resilience efforts as it will help DoDMA easily reach disaster affected areas.
“This will enhance our capacity to reach out to different councils and facilitate movement of various clusters we work with to go to where the operations are needed," said Kalemba adding that with all the contingency plans that are already in place, will benefit from the donation of the vehicles.
In a separate interview, Country Director for Care Malawi, Pamela Kuwali, emphasized the need to coordinate and assist DoDMA as their Partner as it aligns with their resilient food security Project.
"We consider DoDMA a key partner because of their crucial role in the Resilient Food Security Project, which was implemented in Zomba and Mangochi and is now coming to a close,”
“This project aligns with the National Resilience Strategy, for which DODMA is the national policyholder hence we approached and partnered with DODMA as they represent the government in the project, and also you can see one of our officers is stationed at DODMA hence without their support, the success of this project would not have been possible," she said.
With the increasing frequency of natural disasters, such as cyclones and droughts, the partnership between DoDMA and CARE Malawi underscores an important commitment to protecting lives and property across the country therefore the new vehicles will enable faster, more efficient disaster response, ensuring that Malawi is better prepared to face future challenges.
Women in Nkhata Bay applaud SCTP
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, December 13, Mana: Women in Nkhata Bay have commended Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) for being a beacon of hope by providing them with opportunities to embark on small scale businesses.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana), Friday, Laika Msumba, of Traditional Authority M’bwana in the Nkhata Bay District said that she has opened a hairdressing salon to serve her economic sustainability besides serving her community.
“When I was enrolled into the program in 2022, we were encouraged to save the money through our village bank, hence I used my shares to raise capital and open my dream salon business.
Its growing steadily and I am proud to be serving my community while earning a living,” said Msumba.
According to Msumba, on average she gets a profit of K20,000.00 per week from her salon and it is easy for me to fend for my household.
Another beneficiary, Monica Chirwa 30 from Makumbo of Traditional Authority Zilakoma said that she has acquired goats and chickens using her monthly stipends.
I am confident that by the end of the program, I will have established a thriving livestock business.
Principal Social Welfare Officer responsible for Social Cash Transfer for Nkhata Bay, Wisdom Mwafulirwa he was impressed to see beneficiaries being empowered economically.
"This is a step towards creating a more equitable and prosperous society for all," said Mwafulirwa.
SCTP is being implemented by Malawi Government through the National Local Government Finance Committee with funding from Multi Donor Trust Fund and World Bank and currently benefiting 6,475 households in Nkhata Bay.
Ekhaya FC stuns Red Lions with late winner
By Sukasuka Milton & Albert Mulizakamba
Balaka, December 13, Mana: Ekhaya Football Club stunned Red Lions with a 1-0 victory in a match played at Balaka Stadium.
The winning goal came in the 1st minute of added time, courtesy of Safton Chintokoma’s strike, sending Ekhaya FC fans into a frenzy.
In a post-match interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana), Ekhaya FC Coach, Moses Chavula, praised his team’s resilience and determination.
“Red Lions are a more experienced, but my players contained the pressure well in both periods," Chavula said.
He added that the hard-fought win earned his team crucial three points, propelling them to the summit of the Premier League table.
However, Chavula cautioned his charges against complacency, urging them to stay focused ahead of their next fixture on Sunday.
“I reminded them not to get too excited with the win as we need to concentrate on the upcoming game,” Chavula emphasized.
Chintokoma who rescued Ekhaya FC in the last minute, vowed to deliver more impressive performances in the future.
“Our supporters should expect another win on Sunday because we are here to win and make them happy,” he said.
This defeat has put pressure on Red Lions who are fighting to return to the elite TNM Super League where they were relegated from two seasons ago.
Ashraful Aid empowers a secondary school in Blantyre
By Agatha Kadzinje
Blantyre, December 13, Mana: Ashraful Aid International Humanitarian Organization donated foodstuffs to Focus Secondary School in Blantyre this week and called for the spirit of giving in a time of need.
Speaking when presenting the food items, Country Director for Ashraful Aid, Abbas Panjwani, said there is a need for Malawi to embrace the Ubuntu spirit and always be willing to intervene when challenges arise.
Panjwani urged organizations to take a proactive approach to address societal issues rather than waiting to be asked.
“As stakeholders, we must not isolate ourselves from society. We must be part of the community to better identify the challenges people are facing. If we are part of them, they can easily reach out to us,” he said.
Panjwani therefore highlighted the importance of supporting the education sector, describing it as the hope of a nation.
“As a relief aid organization, we understand various challenges faced by the education sector in Malawi, including insufficient food supplies due to economic difficulties. Therefore, we respond to specific requests and needs rather than creating new ones,” he said.
Panjwani added that the initiative aligns with the organization's mission to provide support and assistance to vulnerable individuals and communities.
The Country Director disclosed that the school approached them for food assistance following their struggle to maintain a diet.
“In response to their request, we have provided sugar, soya pieces, rice, and cooking flour to sustain their meals,” he said as he presented the food items to the girls' section.
Panjwani reiterated Ashraful Aid’s commitment to uplifting communities and being a meaningful organization involved in humanitarian initiatives.
Director of Focus Secondary School, Abdul Kathumba, commended Ashraful Aid for responding to the school's appeal during the challenging times.
Kathumba acknowledged that, like many Malawians, the school is struggling to make ends meet amid the hunger crisis.
“This donation will alleviate the problem of insufficient food for the students. Now, the learners will have adequate meals. We appeal to Ashraful Aid to continue assisting us in various areas,” he said.
Kathumba further called upon other organizations to support the school with other needs, such as learning materials, beds and mattresses.
“If there are well-wishers who can help us address these challenges, we welcome their support. Successful education requires sufficient resources,” said the school director.
Ashraful Aid International Humanitarian Organization has been providing aid to suffering communities around the world for over 27 years.
Government encourages MPs to invest in mega farms
By Sheminah Nkhoma
Lilongwe, December 13, Mana: Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to be in the forefront of combating food insecurity through commercial farming.
Speaking in parliamentary Thursday in Lilongwe, Kawale, outlined government’s commitment to closing gaps in the agricultural sector, with efforts focused on identifying high-capacity individuals and developing new technologies to support farmers nationwide.
“MPs are the very first who complain more about hunger in the country so it is important that they should also be in the forefront to implement programmes that will help end hunger in the counytry,” said Kawale.
He disclosed that that government has initiatives that give MPs opportunities to have mega farms in their constituencies.
“The mega farms can help us to generate more forex because of the crops and livestock which can be generated through the commercial farming,” he said.
Kawale said Malawi has started exporting soybeans to China, as one way toward strengthening both local and international agricultural markets.
In her remarks, MP for Thyolo Thava, Mary Navicha, said, it is important that people should be sensitised about the mega farms so that they should know more about irrigation schemes as other districts do not know more about it.
Improved Kangaroo department crucial in curbing infant mortality rate
By Majona Jabesi Mnjuzi
Mchinji, December 13, Mana: Ministry of Health says there is need to construct proper heath infrastructure expansion in Kangaroo departments to combat the country’s growing infant mortality rate.
Speaking during a commemoration of World Prematurity Day in Mchinji, Thursday, Dr. Julien Chunda, Chief of Health Services in the Ministry of Health, highlighted that many health centers have limited kangaroo infrastructures that can reduce preventable death of infants and new-born babies.
“As a country we did not think well when we were designing the maternity wing. Usually the way it was designed, it just had the woman in mind and not for the baby. Thus, it means if a baby comes out and have complications, we are unable to take care of the baby and are they usually taken to cardiac ward.
"But in a proper set-up, you need to have labour and neonatal wards because these are very specific problems and they need to be sorted at a very specific ward. So, moving forward as a country, we want to redesign the maternity wings across the country. We believe this will significantly improve survival rates and outcomes for preterm infants,” stated Chunda.
Meanwhile, NEST 360 Country Director in Malawi, Evelin Zimba, has applauded government for the partnership and urged swift funding allocation for sustainable project implementation across all healthy centres in Malawi.
“We believe if we are to save life of new baby, born prematurely and are sick, we need to have a package of services which includes the provision of services, training of health workers and quality of care. All these services require money.
“So when government come with the budget, they should put aside enough money for supporting this initiative in various health centers across the country,” Zimba said.
Jesse Kadango, mother of a six-year child who was born prematurely, witnessed the positive impact of Kangaroo for child care and growth.
“I gave birth to twin babies. One prematurely and another one was strong and mature enough. Unfortunately, the one who was mature enough passed away and leaving me with the premature baby. The doctor advised me to go through Kangaroo. After following the advice, my child was saved and now she is in standard one,” said Kadango.
The World Prematurity Day is commemorated on November 17th each year, but in Malawi, the day was commemorated on December 12 under the theme, “Over 13 million babies born prematurely every year. Access to quality care everywhere.”
The theme is a call for urgent action to close the gap, advocating for better maternal and neonatal care across the country.
Queens march into semifinals of Africa Netball Cup
By Alinafe Kapatamoyo
Lilongwe, December 13, Mana: The Malawi National Netball Team will face Uganda in the semifinals of the Africa Netball Cup in Namibia today
This follows the Queens’ success Thursday where they defeated Kenya 60-30 to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the Africa Netball Cup.
In another semifinal, South Africa, will face Zimbabwe in what promises to be an exciting match also.
Fans are eagerly anticipating the match as Uganda has recently improved and caused problems for the Queens.
This win is a testament to the team's hard work and dedication. The Queens have been training tirelessly, and their efforts have paid off. They are now focused on taking down Uganda and advancing to the finals.
The Africa Netball Cup has been an exciting tournament so far, with teams from across the continent competing for the top spot.
The Queens are determined to bring home the trophy, and with their current momentum, they're definitely a team to watch.
Will the Queens bring the trophy home? Only time will tell.
Catholic Church in MK724 million-food response
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, December 11, Mana: The Catholic Church through its Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (Cadecom) on Wednesday donated corn soy blend locally known as Likuni Phala and cash to residents of Nthunduwala Camp and the surrounding households in Kasungu District.
Making the donation, Deputy Secretary General for Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) Father Joseph Sikwese bemoaned the dire conditions in which the camp residents live saying the church will do all it can to engage government to assist the people who have been left destitute for 13 years.
“We needed to reach out to the people at Nthunduwala Camp considering that they don’t have land where they can stay, cultivate crops and live a productive life.
“Here they are literally doing nothing hence they are suffering. They are not lazy people, only that they have no land and survive on piece works where they are also abused by not being paid their dues in some instances,” Father Sikwese said.
He said the church through its arms, has been following up with government to have the camp residents relocated and that it will continue to do so until the camp is decommissioned and its residents relocated to their own land.
“We will not get tired until these people are assisted. No person should be a refugee in their own country,” he said.
Nthunduwala Camp is home to close to 400 people who have lived at the place since 2012 after returning from Zambia where they had gone seeking jobs after being retrenched in tobacco estates in Kasungu District.
While expressing gratitude for the items received, chairperson for the camp, Stanley Nkhoma, said a permanent solution to their predicament is to give them land where they can cultivate.
“There is no dignity living a life of begging as is the case here at the camp where we usually survive on donated items and piece works.
“We want land. Give us land where we can be producing our own food, raise families and send children to school. That is the only permanent solution to our problems,” Nkhoma said.
With funding from Caritas International to the tune of MK724 million, the Catholic Church is responding to food deficits, targeting 3, 749 households with corn-soy blend and 3, 230 others with cash transfers amount to MK100, 000 each in 11 districts including Kasungu.
El Nino weather conditions during the last growing season has caused widespread hunger in the district where at least 43, 000 households have been earmarked to receive food relief coordinated by Department of Disaster Management Affairs.
Government reaffirms commitment to strengthening Malawi's health system
By Wellington Sibale
Neno, December 13, Mana: Government has reiterated its dedication to improving the health system to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by constructing health facilities national wide by 2030 among others.
Chief of Health Services in the Ministry of Health, responsible for reforms, Samson Mndolo, said this Thursday at Ligowe community ground during commemoration of 2024 Universal Health Coverage Day held under the theme, Health: It’s on the Government.
He said government plans to construct over 900 health posts nationwide by 2030 to ensure every Malawian has access to a health facility within five kilometers radius.
“Government has developed standards and guidelines in accordance with international benchmarks as we move toward achieving Universal Health Coverage. We are ensuring these are implemented effectively to provide quality health care to communities.,” said Mndolo.
The Chief of Health Services added that there was need to partner with organizations such as Global Fund and Partners in Health, while urging communities to actively monitor these initiatives for accountability.
He added that government was committed to work in line with World Health Organization (WHO) s six building blocks for health, including human resource, infrastructure and service delivery.
“To ensure sufficient human resource, the government has recruited a significant number of nurses, doctors, and community health workers. This is critical for providing services efficiently and meeting international standards,” Mndolo said.
Chairperson of the Universal Health Coverage Coalition in Malawi, George Jobe, commended government for recruiting healthcare workers, constructing medical facilities and acquiring advanced medical equipment such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners.
“We have witnessed significant progress, but challenges remain including shortages of drugs, inadequate health workers, and limited access to health facilities,” Jobe said.
He also said there was need for good investment in combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which are becoming more prevalent.
WHO Country Representative in Malawi, Dr. Kibambo Neema, acknowledged progress under Malawi’s Health Sector Strategic Plan III (2023–2030) which aims at improving health outcomes, enhance client satisfaction and reduce financial hardships among Malawians in accessing medical care.
“Universal Health Coverage ensures all people can access quality health services without financial hardship. This is essential for economic productivity, social cohesion, and resilience,” added Neema
Parliamentary Health Committee, Vice Chairperson, Eurita Mtiza Valera, lauded Malawi’s progress toward meeting Abuja Declaration on Health's target of allocating 15 per cent of national budgets to health.
“Malawi’s health sector allocations are currently at 12 per cent which is commendable compared to many African countries still allocating as little as 6 per cent,” said Valera observing that the parliamentary health committee continues to advocate for full adherence to the African Union’s Abuja Declaration of 2001.
Since its establishment in 2016, the UHC2030 initiative has been instrumental in supporting global efforts to promote universal health coverage, working collaboratively with multilateral organizations, civil society, academia and governments worldwide.
Malawi for long term resilience to challenges
By Memory Chatonda
Blantyre, December 12, Mana: Government of Malawi in collaboration with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the African Union (AU) has embarked on the Country Structural Vulnerability Assessment (CSVA) process to strengthen Malawi's capacity to withstand and recover from crises.
Head of Governance, Peace and Security for COMESA, Dr. Oita Etyang disclosed this on Thursday in Blantyre during an engagement meeting with various stakeholders from the southern region regarding the CSVA.
Etyang said the exercise is a follow-up to the letter that the Government of Malawi wrote to the AU and COMESA to undergo self-examination on challenges and strengths related to governance, climate change, gender, security, education and development in order to plan better for the future.
“So, we are here in Malawi to engage with various stakeholders at the regional and then at the national level for us to be able to understand what the problems are, the challenges, the strengths and what it is that we can do together to solve some of those underlying challenges.
“We expect this exercise to end on December 17. Our expectation is to have a comprehensive and consolidated report that will include a mitigation strategy to provide long-term solutions to the challenges,” he said.
District Commissioner for Blantyre, Alex Mdooko described the consultative meeting as crucial in addressing critical and complex challenges and also in understanding the coherent risks and strengths that shape the ability of the nation to withstand and recover from economic, social, environmental and geopolitical crises.
“Blantyre and many districts in the southern region of Malawi have seen a good number of cyclones, the latest being Freddy and also an El Niño-induced dry spell.
“I am optimistic that the deliberations of the meeting will explore the frameworks, methodologies and innovative tools that can support policymakers, researchers and practitioners in identifying key areas of concern and leveraging strengths to enhance adaptive capacities,” he said.
Malawi has become the second country to undergo CSVA in the COMESA region. Similar meetings are being conducted in the other two regions of Malawi.
