MANAonline
Call for increase in the health sector funding
By Mary Makhiringa
Balaka, July 4, Mana: Director of Health and Social Services (DHSS) for Balaka District Council, Dr. Chimwemwe Thambo, has disclosed that Balaka District Hospital was struggling with a number of challenges to provide quality health care service owing this to the devaluation of the Kwacha which has resulted into rising cost of most of the commodities.
He said this Wednesday when Parliamentary Committee on Health visited Balaka District Hospital to appreciate how the hospital was fairing on feeding patients.
Thambo added that hospital was struggling to provide patients with adequate nutritious meals to speed up their recovery.
“We prepared our budgets before devaluation of the Kwacha was effected. The situation has affected the ceilings that we had anticipated to be spent on food to feed our patients,” he explained.
While calling on government to consider adjusting funding upwards to health sector, Dr. Thambo believed that joint farming ventures with Malawi Prison Services would be an ideal way to address food challenges at Balaka Hospital.
Chairperson of the Committee, Dr. Matthews Ngwale expressed concern over the state of affairs in most public hospitals as far as provision of meals is concerned.
“We have discovered that patients at the district hospital are given porridge in the morning, and in rare instances they are given lunch. There is nothing for supper and the amount of food that patients are given is not adequate.
“Government must step in immediately and address the situation, it is pathetic that our patients are being fed once like prisoners. They say the best medicine is food, if patients do not eat, even if you give them medicine, they cannot improve,” he added.
Ngwale appreciated various infrastructural development taking place at the Hospital saying; “On a positive note, I must commend the various infrastructural renovations taking place, once refurbishments are done in the near future, health service delivery would be enhanced,
He commended Balaka Hospital for at least trying, saying some hospitals like Thyolo District Hospital only give patients porridge.
Parliamentary Committee advocates for direct funding to health facilities
By Sarah Munthali
Lilongwe, July 4, Mana: Parliamentary Committee on Health, Vice Chairperson, Eurita Valeta has said Direct Facility Funding (DFF) was critical in addressing some challenges faced by health facilities in the country.
Valeta who is Member of Parliament for Nsanje South West, made the remarks when the committee members visited Jalawe Health Centre and Rumphi District Hospital to appreciate facilities where DFF was being piloted.
The DFF pilot programme in Rumphi is part of the Health Sector Strategic Plan funded by UNICEF through CHAI.
“We are impressed with how Jalawe Health Centre is implementing the DFF, with grants they received from UNICEF they have managed to construct toilets, bathrooms and some maintenance works at the facility,” she said.
She said the Parliamentary Health Committee would advocate to government through the Ministry of Health and Parliament to ensure that all health facilities implement DFF to enable them procure various items at their facilities according to their needs.
Valeta stated that the direct funding would reduce delays in procuring resources at the health facilities,
Jalawe Health Centre In-Charge, Kennedy Nyirenda said DFF has encouraged ownership of resources to help in running the facility.
Head of Programmes for AMREF-Health Africa in Malawi, Madalitso Tolani said since implementation of DFF in health facilities in Rumphi district there has been improvements.
“We are supporting the Ministry of Health to develop guidelines on how to implement DFF because this is one of the key interventions that has been highlighted in the Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSS3) to be done across the country. They have identified districts in the first Phase, starting with Rumphi district,” he added.
Tolani said they engaged Parliamentary Committee on Health to visit the facilities to help mobilize resources in Parliament through the Ministry of Health to help implement the programme nationwide.
“DFF advantages our health facilities, they rely on support from the District Council and most of the times their funding is small and they face challenges, very few facilities get the support from the ORT budget, they sometimes fail to do maintenance of their facilities but with DFF some of these challenges will be addressed as they will have autonomy to make decisions on how to use their funds,” he explained.
Parliamentary Committee on Health visited Mzimba and Dowa Hospitals to appreciate nutritional services provision to patients.
Flames in Group L for AFCON qualifiers
By Tione Andsen
Lilongwe, July 4, Mana: Malawi National Football Team, the Flames has been drawn alongside Senegal, Burkina Faso and Burundi in Group L of 2025 Africa Cup Nations qualifiers.
The draw was conducted on Thursday in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The qualifying group phase matches will be played over FIFA international windows of September, October, November, 2024
Two teams from each Group will make to Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals to be hosted by Morocco from December 21, 2025.
The following is the full list of qualifying group phase games;
Group A- Tunisia, Madagascar, Comoros, Gambia
Group B- Morocco, Gabon, Central African Republic, Lesotho
Group C- Egypt, Cape Verde, Mauritania, Botswana
Group D- Nigeria, Benin, Libya, Rwanda
Group E- Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Togo, Liberia
Group F- Ghana, Angola, Sudan, Niger
Group G- Cote D’Ivoire, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Chad
Group H- Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Tanzania, Ethiopia
Group I- Mali, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Eswatini
Group J- Cameroon, Namibia, Kenya, Zimbabwe,
Group K- South Africa, Uganda, Congo, South Sudan
Group L- Senegal, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Burundi
Government describes fallen musician Soldier as ‘patriotic’
By Mary Makhringa
Ballaka, July 4, Mana: Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda on Thursday described the departed musician 'Soldier' Lucius Banda as a patriotic citizen as thousands of Malawians gathered at Balaka Stadium to pay their last respects.
Musician Lucius Banda died on Sunday in South Africa after succumbing to a battle with kidney failure.
Speaking on behalf of President Lazarus Chakwera, Banda said the President was deeply touched and that so many questions were lingering in his mind that did not have answers.
Said Banda: “We have as a nation experienced a very difficult period, but since the president is a believer, let his will be done.
“The late Banda as a bonafide citizen of Malawi, who was friendly to everyone, the poor and rich, was never biased, that is why he was appointed as the Presidential Advisor on Youth and Arts.”
He added: "Let me reveal here that two years ago, the National Youth Service which the State President launched, is as a result of the works of the late Lucius Banda, lately he had plans that the National Economic Empowerment Fund Limited (NEEF) should benefit more youths in the country."
According to Banda, before his death Soldier has left on the presidential desk, National Arts and Heritage Council Bill that all musicians for a long time have been advocating for.
Meanwhile, Banda assured the family of late Soldier Lucius that the love that was there for Lucius Banda, will not end, committing that government will always be there for the family.
In her eulogy, UTM Secretary General, Patricia Kaliati quoted Revelations 21: 4, noting that God assures us that all tears will be wiped and that death shall be no more, nor shall there be mourning, nor crying.
Kaliati thanked President Chakwera for helping the departed son of Malawi when he was sick in a hospital in South Africa.
Said Kaliati: “He was an ardent activist, a voice for the poor, he used to tell different stories through his music. As a nation, we shall all miss him."
John Zembani Banda, son to the late Lucius Banda, described his father as a good friend, who always encouraged his children to regard him as a friend and not as a father.
“He instilled love in me, he always told me to love my mum and love my siblings and everyone that I meet and he kept reminding me of this now and again.
"Let me assure all, that Zembani Music Company will not die, the legacy will live on, he already prepared me for the course,” he said.
A family representative, Eliyasi Kamoto disclosed that the late Banda was the pillar of the family through his unity, love and obedience.
“Let me thank the President for the love shown to our relation when he was sick. There have been different interventions from the President up until he was sent to South Africa for treatment.
"The President at some point took off his busy schedule to come and cheer him up at his home, for all this we say thank you,” Kamoto said.
Kamoto, therefore, asked President Chakwera to consider helping the late Lucius Banda’s brother Paul, who is also sick from the same kidney problem.
He also appealed to government to continue supporting the deceased family considering some children are still in school.
Active faults pose earthquake threats
By George Mponda
Karonga, July 4, Mana: Preliminary results of a ground breaking scientific project which was mapping active faults beneath Lake Malawi has revealed the existence of potential earthquacke threats in the northern region.
A geophysist from Northern Arizona University, Patrick Chindandali, said this Wednesday when he presented results of the mapping exercise to Karonga District Environmental Subcomittee (DESC) members.
The survey was conducted from January to February, 2024 by the Syracuse University and Northern Arizona University from the United States of America, in conjunction with the Malawi government.
"Karonga lies within the East Africa Rift System which already poses an earthquake threat and our survey has revealed more active faults beneath Lake Malawi which also has the capability to cause devastating earthquakes," Chindandali said.
"The study was modelling how some faults may be capable of generating large earthquakes and their recurrence intervals, for example, we have the Livingston border fault which has the potential to cause an 8.5 magnitude earthquake," he added.
He advised Karonga District Council to incorporate the information received into seismic hazard maps which can have signifcant implications for building codes and infrastructure planning.
"This can be used to save lives and property especially in vulnerable areas like Karonga which experienced a series of damaging earthquakes in 2009," said Chindandali.
District Environmental Officer for Karonga, Khumbo Mbeye, said the results of the survey will help the district in preparing for earthquakes which are a threat.
"In 2009 an earthquake hit Karonga, killing people and damaging property in the process. The information provided will guide future developments, focusing growth on safer locations, away from the hazardous areas.
"It will also help the Council encourage the use of construction materials that will enhance seismic resilience," Mbeye said.
Apostle James Sekeya to host Supernatural Sunday
By Petro Mkandawire
Blantyre, July 4, Mana: Glory of Revelation International Ministries (GORIM) will on July 7, 2024 hold prayer service tilted ‘Supernatural Sunday’ at Chilimba Secondary School Hall in Blantyre to deepen people’s faith so that they should become spiritually beings.
Supernatural Sunday is an annual prayer service by the GORIM which brings spiritual nourishment, healing, miracles, deliverance and power to overcome sin.
Organizer of the Supernatural Sunday, Apostle James Sekeya said people should expect wonders and miracles during the Supernatural Sunday where people are expected to interact directly with God.
“People should come in numbers to witness God as he handles people’s physical and spiritual challenges. The Supernatural Sunday will impact something into preachers that will also attend the Sunday service at Chilimba Secondary School hall,” added Sekeya.
GORIM held the 2023 Supernatural Sunday at the same venue where people repented and renewed their faith to live righteously.
He disclosed that this year’s Supernatural Sunday will be spiced up by GORIM praise team, poem recitals and other upcoming gospel artists will also perform.
One of the believers, Joseph Sitima said will attend the Sunday service at Chilimba to overcome challenges he encounters in life and he is looking forward to deepen his Christian faith.
“The bible tells us to worship the Lord and teach God’s word for spiritual guidance, l am expecting a lot of spiritual deliverance and healing,” added Sitima.
GORIM was established by Sekeya in 2010 at Mbayani but has a worship center in Chirimba and another prayer house in Lunzu.
Nkhata Bay chief asks for winter cropping support
By Chisomo Kambandanga
NKhata Bay, July 4, Mana: Group Village Head (GVH) Ngombo in the area of Senior Chief Malanda in NKhata Bay has called upon well-wishers to support flood survivors with farm inputs for winter cropping as a recovery strategy to avert looming hunger.
The Chief made the call Wednesday when Youth Empowerment Towards Development (YOTED) made a donation to some households affected by floods in 2023/2024 rainy season.
"We are grateful for continued support that various stakeholders are giving to flood survivors since a majority of them lost crops in their fields posing a threat of hunger.
"We ask well-wishers to support us with cassava cuttings, irish potato vines and fertilizer, among others, so that we can plant and start irrigation farming as there is no guarantee that we will continue receiving these food parcels up to the end of next farming season," Ngombo said.
NKhata Bay District Disaster Risk Management Officer, Rachael Kamanga, said provision of agriculture inputs to flood survivors is essential as it will enable them venture into irrigation farming which can help reduce the burden of food shortage created by floods.
Executive Director for YOTED, Yotam Ngwira, urged communities living in flood prone areas to relocate to safer places.
With support from Australian based AfriAus iLEAC charity organization, YOTED donated food and non-food items worth K3.4 million to 40 households.
Each of the selected households received 25 kilograms of maize flour, five tablets of soap, two packets of sugar, beans and a plastic pail.
Gender TWGs applaud WOLREC
By: Steve Chirombo
Dedza, July 4, Mana: Gender Technical Working Groups under Dedza and Salima district councils have applauded a local Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Women’s Legal Resources Centre (WOLREC) for a project dubbed promoting gender transformative and youth inclusive democracy in Malawi.
The project among others seeks to enhance inclusion of women, youth and the marginalized groups to meaningfully participate in political and decision making structures and processes in the country.
Speaking on Wednesday at the end of training for over 60 TWG members from the two councils in Mponela, District Gender Officer for Dedza, Lisnet Dauya, thanked WOLREC for bringing participants together saying it was important as TWGs consist of various stakeholders from both government and the private sector.
“There is power in unity and bringing together all stakeholders means there will be proper coordination in promoting women into active decision making.
“We hope the message will go flat-out across the districts sensitizing different stakeholders in lobbying for women participation in politics as well as decision making,” she said.
Dauya added that they are not yet there in as far as women empowerment issues are concerned but are trying through some influential leaders such as traditional and religious leaders.
She however, urged fellow women to change their mindset and start thinking positive about themselves.
On her part, Friness Samaliya, Salima district council Gender Officer, said the training has empowered them to promote women, youth and the marginalized to take part in politics saying when these people are included in decision making, they represent their fellows.
“We hope come 2025 and beyond, there will be more youth, women and the marginalized taking part in politics or involved in decision making,” she stated.
Paul Duncan, Executive Director for Salima Aids Support Organization, who is also the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Chairperson, called on government, the CSOs and the political structures to amplify the voice of allowing women to participate in political spheres.
“The capacity building training to us is quite important because it is striking all spheres whereby we understand our roles and responsibilities,” he said.
He however said most times, cultural values dictates that some positions are to be held by men, but was quick to say that women are capable of helping the country achieve certain goals like the Malawi 2063.
Taking his part, MacPherson Mwakhwawa, Director of Planning and Development (DPD) for Dedza, hailed WOLREC for the support which he said through the skills gained will likely enhance gender issues in both districts.
“Human Capital Development is one of the enablers for the Malawi 2063 but if it is not improved may likely affect its achievement. It is worrisome to see women being left behind in decision making even at council level,” he pointed out.
WOLREC is implementing the project in partnership with Oxfam with financial support from the European Union (EU) and Oxfam Ireland.
Malawians express satisfaction with the progress of Lilongwe bridge construction
By Gomezgani Msiska
Lilongwe, July 3, Mana: Construction of the Lilongwe bridge is underway, with construction men working to meet the project's deadline and bring a new, modern bridge to the community.
Speaking with Malawi News Agency (MANA) Kellen Bauleni, who does her business near the construction place, said she is optimist with the progress of the Lilongwe bridge construction.
"I am satisfied with the progress of the works being done at the Lilongwe bridge construction site. They're building it to last longer and it's clear they want to do it properly," said Bauleni.
Bauleni believes the new bridge will signify a great development improvement in the city.
"This bridge will be helpful because it's being built to be used for a long time. I don't think we'll have any difficulties once it's completed,” she further said.
Bauleni, who witnesses the construction progress daily, is impressed with the materials being used and the hard work displayed by the construction team.
She further urged Malawians to be patient and wait for the bridge to be finalized saying It looks promising, and she is confident that it will be completed in good time.
Lonjezo Chikanda, a local taxi driver, has praised the ongoing construction of the Lilongwe Bridge, citing its importance for the city's development and his own transportation business.
"The bridge project is so important because it will help for a long period of time, just like the old bridge that was demolished earlier on.
“To my thinking, it may seem slow, but we just need to be patient enough," said Chikanda.
Chikanda believes the new bridge will not only improve transportation and reduction in traffic congestion, but also enhance the city's aesthetic appeal.
The construction project, which commenced on 22nd of November, 2023, is being funded by the government of Japan. It is expected to be completed by 21st November, 2025.
Our Aim Foundation signs MoU with Mchinji District Hospital
By Paul Madise
Lilongwe, July 04, Mana: Acting Director of Health and Social Services for Mchinji District, Dr Yohane Mwale, has described the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Our Aim Foundation and Mchinji District Hospital as crucial in fostering healthcare services.
Dr Mwale was speaking Wednesday at Mchinji District Hospital during the signing of the MoU between the two parties.
The MoU will see Mchinji District Council providing operational support to all clinics and health facilities, including medicines, set up by Our Aim Foundation.
Mwale expressed satisfaction with the initiative saying it saves as a good indicator to the development of the district as it will help serve less privileged citizens of the community.
"My role is to ensure that what is in the MoU is being adhered to," he said.
Secretary for Our Aim Foundation, Blessings Kaphwiti Banda, expressed satisfaction with the initiative emphasizing the significant role the MoU will play during the course.
Kaphwiti Banda applauded Mchinji District Health Office for being collaborative in rendering the support to Our Aim Foundation.
"We had given Mchinji District Hospital a wish list of the kind of help that we wanted. So far, we are satisfied with the progress," she said.
Our Aim Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing healthcare, food, solar homes, education, water and sanitation services to the community.
