MANAonline
Thyolo DC sounds SOS towards accident victims
By Yamikani Yapuwa
Thyolo, August 20, Mana: Thyolo District Commissioner, Hudson Kuphanga has issued an urgent appeal for support to assist a newborn baby and other patients who survived a tragic accident, which took place on Sunday in Thaboni.
Kuphanga made the call on Monday stating that the accident claimed nine lives and left several others injured, many of whom are now receiving care at Trinity Hospital in Nsanje and Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre.
"The newborn baby, delivered at the accident scene, lost the mother in the tragedy. While the baby is in stable condition at Trinity Hospital, there is an immediate need for essentials such as milk, diapers, clothes, blankets and toiletries.
"The baby’s guardians, who are currently without food, are also in dire need of assistance," said Kuphanga.
Kuphanga also emphasized the need for additional resources for Trinity Hospital, which is struggling to cope with the aftermath of the accident.
Meanwhile, a team of officials from Thyolo District Council led by Dr. Gabriel Mtaya, on Monday visited both hospitals to review the condition of the patients.
"We have reviewed a total of 21 patients, including the two babies at Trinity Hospital. Most patients are stable, and eight have been discharged this afternoon. Three patients need further observation, and the rest will possibly be discharged later on Tuesday."
"Two patients were discharged on request before the team arrived at the hospital to bury their child who died during the accident," said Mtaya.
Mtaya added that at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, seven patients remained under care, including four children and three women.
"Among the children, a two-year-old is in critical condition in the ICU, suffering from a head injury and multiple fractures. The other three children who are within the age range of 12 and 14 are stable but one had his right leg amputated.
"The three women have varying degrees of injuries, with one in serious condition due to a severe head injury. A male patient was discharged earlier in the day, although details about his condition were not available," he added.
Mtaya also highlighted the urgent need for support for the patients at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.
In response to the accident, government donated MK4 million to assist with funeral expenses, from which MK2.7 million have been distributed to the bereaved families, with each family receiving MK300,000.
The government also provided coffins and fifty bags of food and essentials, through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA).
The accident happened when the driver of a vehicle carrying people from Lilongwe going to a tombstone unveiling ceremony failed to control the vehicle due to brakes failure thereby running into people who were at Thaboni Market.
Engrossed in the sea, The untold stories of Autism
Written by Elia Chibwe
Lilongwe, August 19, Mana: “Schools are expensive, my house maid requires a lot of money to look after her as my daughter cannot go to the toilet by herself, and rental houses are costly due to security concerns for my autistic child. Sometimes, she even damages people’s property,” lamented Manyanani Mwakibinga Munthali, a single mother, her face etched with despair.
Munthali, a 56-year-old single mother from Mwangwera village, Traditional Authority Kilupula, Karonga, has faced numerous challenges in caring for her 31-year-old daughter, who was diagnosed with autism.
For four years, she was unaware of her daughter’s condition since her birth in 1993. It wasn’t until she encountered a psychiatric lecturer from the University of Malawi that she learned her daughter’s condition was related to retardation of mental development.
Munthali faced a lot of challenges in managing ad educating her daughter, who faced daily complaints from school teachers. The child’s behavioral issues and discrimination from peers made education nearly impossible.
Other people uttered scorning words and slating gossip meetings calling her a witch and claiming that she had deliberately harmed her daughter for reaches, while others regarded them as cursed people.
The life of a single mother was really engrossed in the sea of miseries and calamities as depression attacked her due to the discrimination that her daughter faced and cost of secure housing for her autistic child.
Her family has separated 18 years ago, leaving her to raise two biological children and three others alone.
Munthali wishes for a government program to support parents of autistic children financially, to ease their burden.
Although a psychiatrist lecturer had identified her daughter’s condition as mental retardation years ago, it wasn’t until the autism awareness campaign began in 2010 that she understood it was autism.
“Even after my encounter with the psychiatrist from University of Malawi several years ago, I still thought that witchcraft did such evil to my child and I was stressed for that until the awareness campaign clarified it. The campaign has been a great help, providing support through local parent groups where we share information on caring for autistic children,” Munthali said.
Attempts to reach the Ministry of Health for comments on support programs for autistic children were unsuccessful. Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Adrian Chikumbe did not respond to or the questionnaire sent to him through WhatsApp.
Mental Health Expert, Dr. Precious Makiyi acknowledged the positive impact of awareness campaigns in reducing discrimination and improving diagnoses.
“Knowledge has increased; people are being empowered. So we had the cases but now we are becoming more aware as knowledge has increased as we have many mental professionals than before. So obviously, the professionals are able to diagnose the cases,” Makiyi explained.
He said late marriages now contribute to higher autism rates, compared to the past when people married younger around 18 and 25 years and would have children early in time.
“Obviously when someone is giving birth at an advanced age. For instance, 35 and above that become a risk factor for developmental disorder as autism, unlike in the past where people would marry and start bearing children at 18 and by around 35 they finished bearing children,” he said.
He added that people look at such children as troublesome and this becomes more of a challenge to the guardians or parents.
Lauryn Sulani, Director for Centre for Down Syndrome, Sickle Cell Anaemia and Autism (CEDOSSA), described autism as a complex condition related to brain development that affects how a person perceives and socializes with others, leading to difficulties in social interaction and communication.
She said genetic and environment factors play a role in its development, highlighting that autism is highly heritable and having a sibling with Autism increases the likelihood of having it.
According to the Director, age and perinatal exposure are also contributing factors but the exact interplay between these two factors remains an ongoing area of study.
Sulani noted that her organization offers psychosocial counselling sessions, support groups and economic empowerment based on individual capabilities.
She said the suggested number of the people with autism in the country in 2014 was 130, 000 but her board has planned to do a national wide research to have exact figures to enable them in proper planning and programming of the activities of autism.
For knowledge sakes, the signs and symptoms of Autism are: having difficulties with social interaction, children with autism may have an unusual interest in specific objects, having difficulties with changes in routine, having great ability in one area and great difficulty in another, having unusually strong reactions to one or more of their five senses, doing the same thing over and over again, or talk constantly about specific things that interest them, having intense and prolonged emotional reactions.
Chakwera ambition to feed Africa
By Abel Ikiloni
Rome, August 20, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera says his government has confidence to turn Malawi into an inclusively worth, self-reliant nation which is well industrialized and an upper middle income economy.
He emphasized on the Agriculture, Tourism and Mining (ATM) strategy as a strategy that can accord the country to move into mechanization and commercialization.
“We need to put emphasis on the ATM strategy so that we move from subsistence farming to commercialization.
“Smallholder farmers can be in groups and cooperatives and be empowered so that we can have more products and then add value to such products. We have industries across the country for the products,” he said.
He said it has been tough for Malawi with the effects of climate change hence the need for deliberate efforts on irrigation.
According to Chakwera, all the irrigation schemes that were no longer functional have been resuscitated and new ones have built and with the help of the World Bank Malawi expects to have one of the largest irrigation schemes in Southern Africa.
Chakwera assured the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that he will make sure that agriculture becomes a big business in Malawi by utilizing water from Lake Malawi for irrigation and create more mega farms to address El Niño which brought hunger in Malawi.
About 5.7 million people this year have affected by hunger.
FAO Director General, QU Dongyu, thanked President Chakwera for his commitment to addressing issues of climate change thereby averting hunger.
Dongyu said they are committed to supporting Malawi in irrigation.
ACWECA Assembly opens an opportunity for Catholic church to engage with stakeholders
By Elia Chibwe
Lilongwe August 19, mana: President for Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), Rev. George Desmond Tambala said the five-day-assembly for Association Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA) will facilitate the church to engage with different stakeholders.
Speaking during the Opening MASS for ACWECA Plenary Assembly on Monday at Civo stadium in Lilongwe, Tambala recognized the need of hosting the sisters’ meeting, saying it will enable sisters to make decisions that would assist the church to engage with stake holders.
“For us it is a privilege and we are greatly honored to host this meeting of sisters. The primary expectation that we have is that through their discussion they will be able to come out with a decision and solutions that will help us as a church to engage with different stakeholders in the church,” he said.
He said the discussion would also focus on solutions for the problems associated with youth generation in the country in order to alleviate suicide cases in the country.
“The youth for example, are not only Catholic youths but they are from all over Malawi and would like to see how they can be at the service and also we do engage in other areas like in health and in social work.
“We already have some tools but at least from their side as sisters, they will be able to provide some tools which we can engage the youth and women in various sectors but also those who are in very vulnerable situations such as those that are losing the meaning of life and committing suicide.
In her remarks, the president of ACWECA, Rosalia Sakayambo said it is high time they look back where the association started and reflect on it and thank God as it is a 50-year celebration.
“There is a lot that have been put in place for us to discuss. Remember I said that we have this meeting for five days and in those five days we have a time first of all to look back on the last 50 years and also on the last three years because our plenary assembly always comes after three years but it’s only that this is a special one that it is falling in the year of the jubilee.
“So the jubilee time, is a plenary time to look back and reflect to thank God. Those things go together; we thank God for his faithfulness to us. We have stayed for 50 years now as an association and you would know that as an association the needs now are different unlike when it just started,” Sakayambo said.
She urged people to use the time for realignment and reflection with God’s spirit as it is the one to enable them in progressing.
The Papal Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia, Gian Luca Perici applauded the huge gathering of the people from different parts of African continent who came for the Mass occasion.
Representative for National Laity, Dr. Mary Shawa lauded the priests by honoring them by the decision they made for hosting the assembly in Malawi.
The ACWECA is comprised of ten African countries and the opening Mass was held under the theme: “Transformative holistic formation for authentic living towards a deeper Evangelisation in the ECWECA Region and beyond”
Angry mob kills murder suspect in Nkhata Bay
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, August 20, Mana: An angry mob in Nkhata Bay has killed a suspect identified as Isaac Manda who is alleged to have brutally killed a father and his son by hitting them with a piece of wood for no apparent reason.
In an interview Monday, Nkhata Bay Police Spokesperson, Sergeant Kondwani James said the two have been identified as Lawrence Mwale, 46, and his 4-year-old son Winton of Nkholozo village, Traditional Authority Zilakoma in Nkhata Bay.
"The duo were hit in the head on August 17, 2024 by Isaac Manda who is believed to be mentally challenged. They were later pronounced dead on August 18, 2024 while receiving treatment at Chintheche rural hospital," James said.
According to James, relatives and other villagers were not pleased upon hearing of the death, hence started hunting for Manda on the same day and assaulted him to death in retaliation.
Upon receiving the report, police officers from Chintheche Police Post rushed to the scene to calm the situation and are currently gathering enough information that will lead to proper action in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, police in the district are urging citizens to avoid taking the law into their own hands as the act gives unlawful punishment to those alleged to be in the wrong side of the law.
NRB takes National ID mop up exercise to Karonga prison
By George Mponda
Karonga, August 20, Mana: The National Registration Bureau (NRB) in Karonga has extended its distribution of National Identity (ID) cards and registration of eligible citizens who did not participate during the concluded National ID outreach registration exercise to Karonga prison.
Principal Registration Officer for NRB in Karonga, Chikondi Mtunga said in an interview on Monday that the mop-up registration exercise aims to capture all eligible candidates in all corners of Karonga district.
Mtunga said, "We have been conducting this exercise in various centres which are also Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) registration centres and Karonga prison is one of them. Inmates also have rights to acquire National IDs which is why today we are here inorder to give a chance to those who are eligible to register."
"We are replacing lost IDs and registering all eligible citizens who did not participate during the just concluded National ID Outreach Registration exercise," he added.
He further informed the general public that registration of citizens is a continuous process at NRB District Registration Offices or in some post offices in all districts in the country.
On his part, Gerald Namwiyo an inmate at Karonga prison, hailed NRB for bringing the registration exercise close to them.
"A National ID is very essential for one to access various services and for some of us we even had concerns that we might not vote in next year’s general election but now that we have registered, we will exercise our right to vote,” said Namwiyo.
Masintha Choir to launch album
By Chisomo Sumani
Lilongwe, August 20, Mana: Masintha CCAP Church Choir is set to launch its latest Classical Music album titled, “N’daima pagombe,” on September 29, 2024, at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) Main Foyer from 1:00 pm.
The Launch will have performances by New Apostolic Church Choir, Area 47 SDA Senior Youth Choir, the Area 25 Salvation Army Brass Band and Nkhoma Synod Classical Music Society Choir.
“We have realized that it is not only the people around us who needs to be inspired by the Gospel, we share through songs and came up with the album launch to cater for a lot more people as singing is a part of preaching the gospel.” Masintha CCAP Choir Chairperson, Firstday Ching'ani noted.
The Choir see it to be very essential to receive the presence of all people in their album launch.
“All along, we have been assisting our sister churches in one way or the other, paying school fees for less privileged members and even help in the provision of basic needs for some member such the completion of this launch giving us the stamina to reach out the more, with an inclusion of prisoners in our reach,” he explained.
The Music Director, Yamikani Ching'ani said that, “My ultimate role is to bridge the artistic and spiritual aspects of the music, ensuring a meaningful and transformative experience to both the choir and the congregation.
The Album launch event will serve as a platform for bringing people together by creating an uplifting and spiritually enriching experience.”
The Choir anticipate significant excitement and engagement of the audience in a positive response to both the album's content and the event's atmosphere.
Once the album is launched, Masintha CCAP Church Choir is set to make their songs accessible through several platforms like Facebook, through CDs, in flash disks and more, making it possible for one to access the gospel far and wide while positively impacting spiritual growth in people.
People are encouraged to be part of the choir’s efforts in their contributions either through donations or by supporting their ministry beyond the event.
The Masintha CCAP Church Choir has been a significant presence in the country’s Christian music scene, known for their dedication to spreading the gospel through their impactful music.
For more information or to offer support to the choir, interested parties are encouraged to contact the choir’s representatives directly Chairperson, Mr. Firstday Ching’ani on 0999 335 774 and the following banking details respectively;
Bank Name: FCB Bank,
Branch: Lilongwe,
Account NAME: Masintha CCAP Church Choir
Account Number: 0005243047774
Account Type: Savings
Usi commends health workers for hard working spirit
By Manasse Nyirenda
Rumphi, August 19, Mana: Vice President Dr. Michael Usi has commended health workers for working hard in delivering required health care services in difficult conditions to promote good health and save people's lives.
Usi was speaking Monday when he visited Nthenje Health Centre in the area of Senior Chief Mwankhunikira in Rumphi where he once worked when he was an employee of the Adventist Relief Agency (ADRA).
He said the health facility was one of the facilities that provided quality healthcare at the time he worked at ADRA and toured the Centre to appreciate its present condition so that he can channel challenges to relevant authorities for redress.
Usi added that he visited the facility to interact with health workers, particularly health surveillance assistants (HSAs) and motivate them in their profession.
"HSAs work in very tough conditions to prevent disease outbreaks in various communities through disease surveillance and sensitization.
“You sometimes feel that your work is not recognized, but I want to assure you that we know the importance of your work and we value it," said Usi.
Director of Health and Social Services for Rumphi District Council, Dr. Arnold Jumbe, said the facility no longer offers maternity services to its catchment population since the termination of Service Level Agreement with Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM).
The agreement, among others, enables people to access specific health services at CHAM facilities whose cost is borne by government.
District Commissioner for Rumphi, Emmanuel Bulukutu, asked the Vice President to engage relevant institutions to ensure that the facility is connected to electricity.
In-Charge of the health Centre, Kingsley Phaliyawo, said the facility is run as a private health Centre and as such, most people cannot afford to pay for services.
Senior Chief Mwankhunikira appealed to the Vice President to play a facilitation role to ensure that the stated challenges are resolved.
Nthenje Health Centre is owned by Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) and started providing health services in the area over 50 years ago.
Usi later in the day interacted with people with whom he worked and served when he was at ADRA at Mkwaila Village in the same area.
Passport services resume in Mangochi
By Sheminah Nkhoma
Lilongwe, August 19, Mana: Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services has announced the resumption of passport services in Mangochi effective August 20, 2024.
National Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Immigration and Citizenship Services, Wellington Chiponde, disclosed this Monday through a press statement.
He stated that after a temporary suspension, the Department is now inviting all individuals seeking passport services to access them at the immigration offices in Mangochi.
“This resumption provides an opportunity to passport applicants from the Eastern Region to easily access passport services and ensure that their expectations are met,” said Chiponde.
Among other services, the Mangochi Office will accord eligible passport applicants the opportunity to pay and submit their applications, inquire the status of their applications, and collect issued passports.
Ministry of Energy for electric vehicles
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, August 19, Mana: Minister of Energy, Ibrahim Matola, says government through his ministry is committed to promoting the purchase and usage of electric vehicles in the country.
He made the remarks in Lilongwe on Monday when United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched its first ever-electric vehicle.
Matola said, as a ministry, they want electric vehicles to be widely used in the country.
“We would want these vehicles to be everywhere in the country so that we reduce the import of fuel thereby saving forex,” Malatola said.
He said the vehicles would also help reduce carbon emission in the country thereby reducing effects of climate change caused by harmful gases.
Matola, therefore, said that his ministry and the Ministry of Finance are striving to make purchase of electric vehicles affordable in the country.
He called upon other stakeholders to join government in promoting the purchase and usage of electric vehicles in the country.
“I am aware that there are companies which started manufacturing electric vehicles in the country. I, therefore, call upon other companies, private sector and development partners to also join so that we should stand together to achieve our goal,” he said.
UNDP Malawi Resident Coordinator, Fenella Frost, said the launch of the vehicles is part of the UNDP’s commitment aimed at promoting green economy and environment in the country.
She said UNDP is geared to embrace the usage of electric vehicles following the launch of their first ever-electric vehicle.
“We will be, absolutely, using and driving electric vehicles and by 2030 we want 75 percent of our vehicles to be electric,” Frost said.
She UNDP is looking forward to supporting Malawi government in promoting adoption and usage of electric vehicles in the country.
