By Sellah Singini

Lilongwe, July 10, Mana: National AIDS Commission (NAC) and Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) has advised Malawians particularly people living with HIV not to be deceived by false and misleading information about HIV and AIDS cure trending on social media.

Speaking on Wednesday during a press briefing the two organization jointly organized, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for NAC Dr. Beatrice Matanje said currently, HIV has no cure and the current treatment was taking of Anti-Retroviral Drugs (ARVs).

She said recent joint investigations by NAC and PMRA, in collaboration with Malawi Police Service (MPS) have uncovered disturbing trend where some individuals are tampering with labels of unknown medicines which they later advertise as “Gammora HIV Cure” falsely claimed to be permanent cure for HIV and AIDS.

“These fake products are then sold to people living with HIV at exorbitant prices ranging from K 90,000 to K 260,000 per purported dose,

Such deceitful adverts, if shared and believed have the potential to foster an environment that endangers the lives of many people living with HIV,” Matanje said.

The CEO advised People Living with HIV to remain vigilant and always consult a qualified healthcare professional who could assess their condition, prescribe appropriate medication, and provide guidance on its safe use.

“Taking medication without a prescription can pose several health risks including harmful side effects or ineffective treatment due to incorrect dosage or wrong medication, potentially harmful drug interactions,” she added.

Director General of PMRA, Mphatso Kawaye said NAC and PMRA, in liaison with other regulatory bodies such as Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) and Police would pursue all cases of false, inaccurate and misleading information on HIV and AIDS and bring all perpetrators to book.

“Anyone with information regarding illegal sale or distribution of falsified medicines is encouraged to report to the two institutions or Police for action. The Public is implored to ensure that they are not lured in any way by the sensationalized adverts on HIV and AIDS issues,” he advised.

NAC and PMRA has warned the public that it is an offence under Section 25 of the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Management) Act, to proclaim or publish misleading, false or inaccurate information concerning HIV and AIDS.

It is an offence under Section 98 of the PMRA Act, 2019 to manufacture, import, assemble, dispense, sale any medicinal product or medical device which is falsified and substandard.

By Priscilla Phiri and Hastings Yobe

Lilongwe, July 10, Mana: Imagine the sound of screeching tires, crunch of metal, and shattering glasses still echoing in your mind long after a road accident.

Imagine reliving the same horrific moment every time you get behind the wheel, or even just hearing the sound of a car driving by.

This is the reality of many road users in the country, behind closed doors, a hidden battle rages.

This battle is not fought with swords or guns but with memories that refuse to fade.

Road traffic accidents, a common occurrence in the country’s roads, leave scars that run deeper than a broken bone.

For those who survive the twisted metal and shattered glass, a different kind of trauma awaits, one that lingers long after the sirens fade.

Malawi News Agency (Mana) explores the often-hidden aftermaths of road accidents, the struggles of living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and the bravery of those who are fighting to reclaim their lives as they find ways to heal.

 Alice Banda, 27, is a resident in the City of Lilongwe and a survivor of a devastating road accident which took place within the town of Lilongwe in 2021 and this is her life.

The physical scars healed, but the emotional ones still remain raw and unrelenting.

“I am always afraid to travel long distances because every time I travel by car, I get flashbacks of a car accident that I was involved in two years ago, I am even afraid to drive because I fear that I may end up in an accident,” she revealed.

Although Alice has on several occasions shared her experiences with her loved ones, she still feels alone and helpless as those that she trusts the most do not realise the damage that the accident she was once involved in made.

“It is depressing because I do not know what to do to get my life back. The hardest part is that those that are around me take it lightly and they do not understand the severity of the psychological trauma that the accident left me with,” she lamented.

Alice is not alone and thousands like her in the country grapple with PTSD with lives altered by the merciless roads. 

A Mzuzu City resident, Madalitso Banda, 23 fights the same battle silently.

“I did not know that this was a psychological condition, but ever since I was hit by a motorcycle, my life has never been the same, I panic every time I cross the road and I do not like walking around town to hang out with friends because I cannot stop myself from recalling the accident.

The condition has affected my social life as I prefer staying home after school,” he said.

PTSD is characterised by failure to recover after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event.

The condition may last months or years, with triggers that can bring back memories of the trauma accompanied by intense emotional and physical reactions.

 According to research, a staggering 954 people were estimated to have been affected by road trauma in Ntcheu district alone in 2018, with 173 lives lost.

Yet, shockingly, official records vastly underreport these numbers, with Police data capturing only 11 percent of cases and hospital records accounting for a mere 14 percent.

This means that hundreds of survivors, like Alice and Madalitso, are silently struggling with the emotional scars of their ordeal, including the debilitating symptoms of PTSD.

According to Psychologist at Harmony Wellness Solutions, Henry Mwale, PTSD affects a person’s thinking, feelings and behaviour making it difficult for patients to fully function in their day to day lives.

“The most common symptoms that most road traffic accident victims come with are flashbacks, they may think that they are reliving the whole trauma or have intrusive thoughts like they are going through the whole accident again,

Some may have troubling dreams and find it difficult sleeping others may develop avoidance of the things that remind them of the trauma for example they may avoid the places that the accident happened or the activities that remind them of the accident like driving or conversations that may remind them of such incidents.

He emphasised that victims develop PTSD symptoms at different time frames after the accident.

 “It is important to note that people develop PTSD symptoms at different time periods, some may develop the symptoms immediately after the traffic accident, while others may do so three months after the accident,

So it is important to come for assessment so that we see how they are coping and start the interventions once diagnosis has been done because such patients feel like they are not safe all because they are failing to process what happened hence therapy is important as it helps to restructure their thoughts and beliefs,” Mwale said.

He advises victims of road traffic accidents with PTSD condition to be open and talk about their experiences because distressful experiences open a door to addictions as victims try to find coping mechanism that are harmful to their wellbeing.

Psychologist encourages health workers to refer road traffic accident victims to therapy for their mental wellness.

“Do not overlook PTSD, because the condition is real and no one is immune to it, people need to know that their reactions are normal to abnormal events, so whenever they go through traumatic situations they should go for check up to see if they have PTSD and get helped professionally,” Mwale firmed.

Mental Health expert, Georgina Kanyanda said there was need for more awareness from the medical profession to keep Malawians informed on issues to do with disorders for them to be properly addressed.

In a bid to curb road accidents in the country, government together with stakeholders are taking action in creating awareness on the relevance of road safety in saving lives and property.

According to Senior Road and Transport Officer for South Directorate of Road Traffic on Safety Services (DRTSS), Edwin Chikamba, the topic of road accidents should be taken seriously.

“It is a high time that people start realising the graveness of the situation and take action, road safety should be one of the most talked about topics amongst people to raise awareness.

It is sad to note that people think adhering to road safety information is only for those working for road traffic and drivers on the contrary, every person regardless of their status in society is a road user and should take full responsibility when using the road,” he said.

All in all, no one ought to live their lives in despair and fear of what may happen to them on the road.

It is high time Malawians took road safety seriously bearing in mind that their safety is the safety of other road users.

The silent struggle against PTSD and haunting memories underscores the true cost of road trauma.

As the country seek ways to heal and reclaim lives, Malawians have a responsibility to drive with caution and empathy making the country’s roads safer for everyone to arrive alive.

By Nephtali Kalumbi

Mangochi, July 10, Mana: Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has signed a 5-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Dzimwe Community Radio Station of Mangochi so that the radio should sensitise community on the negative impact of corruption.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Mangochi on Tuesday, ACB Director of Public Education, Dr. Charity Mphande, said that radio was an influential means of communication which could easily help to create corrupt free society.

“In 2013, wwe saw how the media helped to uncover cash gate scandal. As such, we are hopeful that the partnership with ccommunity radio stations will bear good fruits in reporting, educating and disseminating essential information on curbing corruption,” she added.

Mphande expressed hope that ACB’s partnership with Dzimwe Community Radio Station would help to reach out the local masses in four districts Mangochi, Salima, Balaka and part of Ntcheu.

Dzimwe Community Radio Station, Manager, Justice Sumaili said the radio was grateful for being recognised as a key media institution that could help fight corruption.

“Apart from sensitizing communities, we will make sure to lead by example by refraining from corrupt practices,” he said.

Administration Officer at Mangochi District Council, Vinace Juma applauded ACB for deciding to work with a media organization in Mangochi and described the MOU as a positive step in combating corruption in the district.

Dzimwe Community Radio Station broadcasts from Monkey Bay in Mangochi.

By Gomezgani Msiska

Lilongwe, July 10, Mana: Government has revealed that the country’s development progress has been severely impacted by natural disasters and war, and it was struggling to recover from the setbacks.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nancy Tembo said this Tuesday at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe during the launch of Human Development Report (HDR) 2023/24 whose title is "Breaking the Gridlock, Reimagining Cooperation in a Polarized World".

She noted that many countries' development was progressing well until 2018, but since then, things have taken a downward turn.

Tembo cited the 2018 Cyclones and the ongoing Ukrainian war as major setbacks, with COVID-19 further exacerbating the challenges.

She stressed the need for collective action to address the challenges by urging all Malawians to work together to transform the country into a digitalized country with improved education and health facilities.

 "It's not about one person, one government, or one political party; it's about all of us working together to leave a well-developed country for future generations," the Minister hinted.

Tembo noted that developed countries have managed to recover from the challenges, but developing countries like Malawi are still struggling to get back on track.

She urged all stakeholders to work together to address the challenges and ensure a brighter future for Malawi.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Fenella Frost said the report was significant in addressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and polarization.

"The World is at a critical turning point, we appear stuck with a lack of collective action to address these challenges. How do we get unstuck? This question has motivated UNDP to support the 2023/24 Human Development Report," she said

Frost pointed out that, "We must urgently take action together, both as countries and regions, to address the challenges identified, including inequality and escalating political polarization."

She noted that despite global progress, the world was experiencing a "gridlock" in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with many countries, including Malawi, struggling to regain momentum after the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The SDGs are there to pull men and women across the globe to achieve their full potential and benefit equally from social and economic services," UNDP Representative added.

Frost singled out natural disasters, debt, and slow progress in achieving the SDGs as major challenges facing the country.

She noted areas of progress, including digital transformation, with 98 percent of Malawians registered for a unique ID.

"The government has made huge progress and this will help to unlock a whole range of savings for the government and best access to services for the population," Frost said.

She urged government to prioritize areas such as agriculture, tourism, mining, and manufacturing to drive growth and achieve the SDGs.

"We need to work together to address these challenges and get back on track to achieving the SDGs," Frost stressed.

The Report provides a comprehensive analysis of global challenges and human development trends, offering critical insights into progress and challenges in achieving the SDGs.

By Hastings Yobe

Lilongwe, July 9, Mana: Rising northern region music sensation, Mercha, is geared up for his debut headlining show, The City Splash, on August 3, 2024 at Mjolo Village, near Matayifa market in Mzuzu.

The acoustic show, scheduled for the evening hours, marks a significant milestone in Mercha's career, and he is eager to share the experience with his fans.

"Headlining my own show has always been a dream, and I am excited to finally make it a reality with The City Splash.

"I'm grateful for the support I have received throughout my musical journey, and I hope fans will continue supporting me on this new chapter," he said.

Kingston Chibwazi, a fan of Mercha, hailed the development as exciting news.

"This is a good development coming from an artist I love the most. The show will be an exciting experience for someone like me who loves listening to his music," said Chibwazi.

Gwamba, a well-established name in Malawi's music industry, has commended Mercha for taking the initiative to organize his own show.

"It is important for upcoming artists to have their own events as it helps improve their brand. The more you master the art of doing events, the more you grow your brand," said Gwamba.

He further advised upcoming artists not to wait for promoters but to take charge of their careers.

The City Splash show will feature a lineup of talented artists, including Prince Chitz and Wakisa James, with more names to be announced soon.

Mercha has also revealed plans for a college tour from September to November and several upcoming shows and festivals.

Fresh from the success of his latest single, "Obhebha," featuring Namadingo, Mercha is set to release another exciting collaboration, "Zamawa," featuring Prince Chitz.

The artist and his management are inviting potential sponsors to come on board and support the show.

By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, July 9, Mana: After publishing a plethora of short stories, poems and other general articles in the country’s various publications, United States of America (USA) based media studies scholar, Davie Danford Mchinga, has taken a giant step in his writing career by publishing his first novelette christened The Fallout: Nyamsengechi’s Odyssey of Turmoil.

In an interview from North Carolina, USA, Mchinga said it has taken him one year to author the 105 paged book.

“It has taken me a good 12 months to complete writing the book. The project started in Malawi but I have completed it here in the USA. I hope and believe that readers will fall in love with what I have written as I tried to put much effort in it,” said Mchinga.

He said his creative writings always originate from his surroundings.

“I pay keen attention to the things that happen in society and this book is mirror to what is happening in our communities,” he said.

The Fallout: Nyamsengechi’s Odyssey of Turmoil delves into the complex interplay of climate change, poverty and cultural practices in rural Malawi.

Through the harrowing journey of one young girl Nyamsengechi who is married off at a tender age, Mchinga sheds light on the devastating impact of environmental changes on vulnerable communities.

“In a nutshell the novelette brings out the consequences on marriage that Nyamsengechi encountered after her husband left for greener pastures in South Africa as a result of climate change which resulted in inability to harvest enough yields to pay back debt and sustain his family,” said Mchinga.

One of the people who have read the book, Eliza Elias, described the novelette as a masterpiece.

“I have read short stories written by Mchinga before and this book is just superb. Mchinga is a writer who takes a reader from one page to the end without the reader getting tired of reading.  So, having read the 105 paged novelette, I feel the author is on a right track in terms of his writing ability,” said Elias.

According to Mchinga, who is pursuing his studies at Fayetteville State University, the book is currently on the market only on soft copies.

“We are selling soft copy at K10,000. However, we have engaged government print and by the end of this month more than 200 copies will be out. So, those who love hard copies should not feel hard done. Hard copies are coming,” said the 31-year-old author who admires the writings of Chinua Achebe, Steve Chimombo, Ngugi wa Thiongo, Jack Mapanje and Wole Soyika.

By Ernest Mfunya

Mangochi, July 9, Mana: Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate court on Tuesday acquitted Bon Elias Kalindo on a case of inciting violence during the November 30, 2023 anti-government demonstrations which took place in the district on grounds that the state failed to provide strong evidence on the matter.

The human rights activist was arrested a few days after the demonstrations following complaints that people suspected of being part of the demonstrations turned violent and destroyed property after presenting the petition.

Senior Resident Magistrate Muhammad Maxwell Chande said it was on record that Kalindo organized the demonstration and that some property, including government's property, were damaged.

However, Chande said the court failed to link between what happened during the demonstrations to have been caused by the accused person.

“The court finds that the state has failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. What the accused did was to exercise his human right,” said Chande.

Speaking to media after the acquittal, Kalindo commended the judiciary in the country for being independent, transparent and for ensuring justice during his trial.

The 48-year-old activist was accused of inciting violence that led to destruction of 11 vehicles, belonging to government and public servants, which were parked at the District Education Management Office.

Kalindo pleaded not guilty to the allegation which forced the state to parade four witnesses to prove the case.

Kalindo, through his legal representation, Smart Khalifa, made bail application but the state objected claiming if the accused was given bail he would tamper with evidence. He was, however, granted bail.