By Memory Kutengule Chatonda

Blantyre, May 9, MANA: To ensure improved maternal nutrition and pregnancy outcomes. Blantyre District Health Office (DHO) has advised community level development committees in the district to assist in raising awareness on newly rolled out Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) meant for pregnant women

Blantyre DHO, Safe Motherhood Coordinator, Ellida Bvutula, said MMS is an antenatal supplement that has replaced Iron Folic Acid (IFA), which used to be given to expectant women during antenatal visits.

Speaking during MMS awareness meeting with Somba Area Development Committee (ADC) on Friday, the coordinator said MMS provides broader nutritional support than IFA to pregnant mothers, thereby reducing cases of miscarriages, low birth weight, infant mortality and premature birth

“MMS provides 15 micronutrients, including Iron and Folic Acid, all combined in a single tablet. The single tablet is consumed every day throughout the pregnancy period.

“This is good for pregnant women to improve maternal nutrition and pregnancy outcomes,” she said.

Bvutula reiterated that the new supplement has less side effects in expectant mothers, including those with diabetes, high blood pressure, and a history of miscarriage.

Speaking during the same meeting, Blantyre District Commissioner, Alex Mdooko, encouraged men to take active role in disseminating correct information about the new supplement among expectant women.

“There is no government that can come up with drugs that are going to kill its own people. Therefore, let us diminish the myths surrounding the new supplements.

“Be on the forefront to at least promote the uptake of this supplement among pregnant women,” the District Commissioner added.

Traditional Authority Somba described the engagement meeting as timely, pledging to disseminate correct information about MMS far and wide using various social gatherings.

Blantyre is one of five districts in the country that are currently administering MMS to expectant mothers.

By Blessings Sabiti

Phalombe, May 10, Mana: Mkhumba Youth Network in Phalombe in partnership with Phalombe based Tiwasamale Youth Club, teamed up to a clean up exercise at Mpasa Health Centre and surrounding areas to champion sanitation at the heath facility.

Speaking in an interview after the clean-up exercise, Mpasa Health Centre clinician, Kabambe Thipa commended the youths for collaborating with the health center staff to clean up the entire facility in a day, saying this was a total commitment to sanitation.

“Today we have managed to clean the whole area with support from youths. Let them continue doing so as this is another way of preventing diseases that comes due to poor sanitation,” he added.

Mkhumba Youth Network, Chairperson, Clement Mayang’anira, expressed satisfaction with both the turnout and the success of the clean up exercise at Mpasa Health Center

“I am very excited that we have successfully accomplished the plans we set out to achieve,” he said.

Tiwasamale Youth Organization, Programmes Manager, Khumbo Banda, also hailed Mkhumba Youth Network for choosing to do the clean up at Mpasa Health Center and surrounding public places, saying “this was the way to go in as far as sanitation and hygiene is concerned,”.

Mpasa Trading Centre, Chairperson, George Seven encouraged the youth to continue with such efforts but bemoaned lack of proper waste disposal facilities at Mpasa market.

“This clean-up exercise will help promote sanitation in our market place,” the market chairperson added.

The clean up exercise at both Mpasa Health Center and Mpasa Market brought together 20 youth clubs across Traditional Authority Mkhumba.

By Ernest Mfunya

Mangochi, May 10, Mana: Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jacob Hara, has re-affirmed people of Mangochi that the first phase of the construction of Mangochi-Makanjira Road will commence in two weeks’ time.

Hara made the remarks Friday when he met a group of concerned citizens in the district, following concerns over delays in commencement of the road project which, when completed, will reduce costs of transporting people and goods in addition to improving provision of social services to communities in Mangochi North.

Speaking after the meeting, Hara said government has put in place US$10.5 million to commence the construction.

He added that the construction will start with temporary remedial works to ensure that there is possibility along the road.

“We had discussions with concerned citizens and this is to inform people that the Chakwera administration will start construction of this road in the next two weeks.

“When we talk about possibility in engineering, it means to pass without strict difficulties,” he said.

According to Hara, the phase first will comprise of road smoothing, filling up all galleys, building box covers and making sure that rivers are passable.

“This is the first phase as we wait for the other main contractors in a few months,” he said.

Chairperson for Mangochi Concerned Citizens, Abdulazizi Abdul, said people of Mangochi want timely commencement and completion of the Mangochi-Makanjira Road, which he described as crucial in the social economic development of the district.

“For decades, government has been promising construction of this road but we saw nothing. People are failing to do businesses, patients and expectant women are losing lives before getting to hospital due to the bad state of the road.

“As such, we would want to see improvement,” he said and commended Hara for having an interface with people of Mangochi to hear their concerns.

He said people at Makanjira and those along the road were patiently waiting for the new road.

After an interface meeting in Mangochi, Hara made a monitoring tour of Nsipe-Liwonde road to appreciate progress and had interface meeting with team from the contractor, Jiangxi Construction Engineering Group Company Limited, at the project camp site in Balaka.

By Blessings Sabiti

Phalombe, May 10, Mana: Phalombe Police recently arrested four Malawians and one Mozambican for being found in possession of petroleum products and attempting to externalise petroleum products to Mozambique without permit.

The incodent happeened almost five weeks after other four men were also netted for the same offence.

Phalombe Police Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Jimmy Kapanja, confirmed the arrest of the five.

Kapanga identified the for Malawians as Innocent Kapito, 25; Batison Pire, 33; Maxwell Goodson and James Kachingwe, 24 while the Mozambican is Antonio Kapindu, 30, from Kholomana Village, Traditional Authority Kholomana.

Sergeant Kapanja said the five were arrested in the early hours on May 3, 2025, at Mauzi, Malawi-Mozambique border when Likangala border police were patrolling the area.

“Upon interrogation, the suspects revealed that they were going to Mozambique with 280 litres of petrol and 100 litres of diesel,” he said.

The five are in police custody and will soon be taken to court to answer charges of possession of petroleum products without permit.

Police in Phalombe say they will continue conducting day and night patrols to apprehend those found possessing petroleum products illegally.

Kapito, comes from Msema Village while Pire is from Mloma Village both from Traditional Authority (TA) Kaduya in Phalome district.

Goodson comes from Ndungunya Village, TA Mkhumba while Kachingwe is from Meya Village TA Chikowi in Zomba District.

On April 25, Police in Phalombe arrested three Malawians and one Mozambican for illegally possessing 260 litres of petrol and 100 litres of diesel in 20 litre containers.

Phalombe Police identified the three Malawians as; Charles Yohane, 21, from Chinani Village; Frank Mapeto, 25 from Nthambula Village both from TA Chiwalo in Phalombe and Jailos Yohane, 35 from Mumbo Village, TA Jenala in Phalombe.

Gabriel Petro, 31, from Zambesia Province in Mozambique was also arrested alongside the three Malawians during police sweep at Chitekesa and Miseufolo in the district.

Accordingg to Kapanja, on the day of the sweep, 520 litres of petrol was abandoned but recovered after the owner fled, fearing arrest.

The four are expected to appear before court in Phalombe for judgement on their illegal possession of the products.

In a related development, Second Grade Magistrate Court in Phalombe recently convicted and ordered Boniface Kasoti, 32, to a K600,000 fine for being found in possession of petroleum products without permit on April 18.

Kasoti comes from Nthenda Village, TA Chiwalo in Phalombe.

By Alice Ndunya

Machinga, May 10, Mana: District Agriculture Stakeholders Panel (DASP) has encouraged farmers in Machinga to adopt irrigation farming as a way to increase food production in the wake of uncertain weather patterns that affect rain-fed agriculture.

DASP Chairperson in Machinga, James Chogoya emphasized the need to adopt irrigation farming, saying farmers' clubs in the district should devise proper planning by setting aside quality seeds in readiness for the May to August irrigation farming season in their respective schemes as they await the farm equipment loan programme.

Chogoya told Malawi News Agency (Mana) recently that, following the 2024/2025 agricultural season, which was characterized by erratic rainfall, there was a need for farmers to adopt irrigation agriculture, taking advantage of many water sources in the district.

“In some areas, crops did not do well leading to losses. By embracing irrigation, we can bridge the food security gap for affected farming households.

“We have abundant water sources, and it's time we utilize them effectively, let us be innovative to produce manure to increase crop production. We should not rely solely on rain-fed agriculture which has become unpredictable," he added and further stressed the need for increased agricultural innovations to increase crop production.

DASP facilitates collaboration and engagement between farmers and government, plus other relevant stakeholders in the agricultural sector to address agricultural challenges, and improve extension services to ensure that farmers’ needs and perspectives are integrated into agricultural planning and decision-making.    

A farmer, Joshua Maunde from Traditional Authority Sale testified that irrigation farming is so beneficial, saying; “It enabled me to harvest enough last season such that I managed to provide and sustain my household throughout the year,

“Let my fellow farmers take advantage of farm inputs loans in readiness for irrigation season in our schemes," he said.

District Irrigation Engineer for Machinga Council, Daniel Sambakunsi, said farmers in the district are willing to go for irrigation farming, adding that some had already mobilized themselves into groups to meet all standard requirements for National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) inputs loan.

“Most farmers have managed to mobilize resources which are collateral per NEEF farm inputs loan requirements. Luck enough, these requirements are flexible," he added.

The Irrigation Engineer emphasized the importance of soil and water conservation as key to successful irrigation farming.

“Farmers need to utilize land in a good way to harvest more for consumption and to generate income. They should make the most use of available resources," he added.

NEEF expects to provide farm inputs on loan to farmers' clubs in Machinga to allow them realize high crop production in their respective irrigation schemes.

By Sukasuka Milton

Lilongwe, May 9, Mana: The Lilongwe District Health Office (DHO) has called for strengthened partnerships with various stakeholders to enhance health service delivery.

Speaking during a coordination meeting on Friday, Lilongwe DHO Director, Dr. Wilson Ching'ani, explained how the office's key plans and projects complement each other.

He said: "Our District Implementation Plan (DIP) is like a big plan that makes sure all the health work at the different health places in Lilongwe happens in a good way. Then, the Direct Facility Financing (DFF) is a way to give money directly to the community hospitals and health centers. This money helps them take care of the important health problems in their own areas without waiting for the government to step in."

Dr. Ching’ani then emphasised the importance of partnerships in enhancing health service services in Malawi.

Commenting on a different note, Red Cross Society of Malawi District Coordinator, Malumbo Nyirenda, emphasized that they are working hard to curb the MPOX disease in area 36.

“We are doing three main things, teaching people about the risks, taking care of people who are sick, and working with many different groups, and this Sunday we are starting to go out into the communities with the DHO team to teach people about the signs of MPOX and how to stay safe," she said.         

Nyirenda reaffirmed the Red Cross Society of Malawi’s commitment to help the government so that people access quality health services.

The meeting highlighted ongoing collaborations with various partners who are already working together.

By Wellington Sibale

Neno, May 9, Mana: Partners in Health (PIH), locally known as Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Malawi’s health sector by handing over a newly established High Dependency Unit (HDU) worth over K452 million to Neno District Hospital.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, PIH Executive Director, Basimenye Nhlema, said the HDU aims to reduce the number of critically ill patients referred to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre thereby improving access to critical care services in the district.

She said the HDU unit, which cost approximately K195 million for renovations and around K257 million for medical equipment, is expected to significantly enhance patient outcomes in the district.

“Previously, critically ill patients had to endure long and treacherous journeys to Blantyre, often resulting in loss of life enroute due to poor road conditions,” said Nhlema.

She highlighted the long-standing gap in Malawi’s healthcare system, where critical care services are generally available only at tertiary facilities.

“Secondary facilities like Neno have lacked adequate support. With this HDU, we aim to bridge that gap and save lives locally,” she said.

Nhlema also acknowledged financial support from the Wyss Medical Foundation and emphasized PIH’s continued investment in healthcare personnel.

She disclosed that so far, 15 nurses and four clinicians have received specialized training at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital to ensure the HDU operates effectively.

Neno District Hospital’s Director of Health Services, Dr. Enock Ndalama, hailed the development as both historic and transformative for the district’s healthcare delivery.

He thanked PIH and its partners, noting that the facility will also serve nearby districts like Mwanza.

“We are very grateful to PIH for this gesture. This marks a historic moment for healthcare in Neno. We also thank the Wyss Medical Foundation for their generous funding,” he said.

Neno District Council Chairperson, Joseph Chiphaliwali, echoed the appreciation, stressing that the facility would address the long-standing challenge of transporting critically ill patients over long distances.

“The poor state of our roads has often led to fatalities during patient transfers. With this facility, we expect a significant reduction in such cases,” he said.

The HDU is part of a broader health improvement initiative by PIH, which recently included the handover of two fully equipped ambulances and the construction of an emergency room at Zalewa Health Centre and PIH has pledged to continue working closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure sustainable healthcare improvements in the country.