MANAonline
Press Trust handover dispensary in Lilongwe
By Andrew Mkonda
Lilongwe, October 5, Mana: Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda has stressed the need for different stakeholders and implementing partners to collaborate with government by constructing health facilities across the country for better health service delivery.
Chiponda made the call Friday during the official handover ceremony of Milamba dispensary in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Mazengera in Lilongwe district.
She said on its part, government is geared to construct 900 health facilities across the country, of which 200 of them, have already been completed to reduce time and distances people cover to access health services especially in rural areas,
“Let me take this opportunity to thank Press Trust and all other implementing partners who have a keen interest in improving health service delivery in the country. Let me also appeal to the private sector, for your businesses to thrive, you need healthy people. So let us work together,” she said.
Chairperson for Press Trust, Engineer Wilson Chirwa said the institution will continue complimenting the government’s efforts in improving the living standard of the people.
“We have many projects throughout the country, we aim to see lives of people more especially in the rural areas, have access to education and health care services,” he said.
Member of Parliament for Lilongwe Mpenu Nkhoma, Collins Kajawa thanked Press Trust for constructing the health facility in the area saying it will go a long way in reducing the challenges people were facing in accessing health services.
Kajawa then asked Press Trust and other partners to add a maternity wing at the health post so that expectant women should not be walking long distances to access maternity services.
He then urged people in his area to take care of the facility and avoid vandalizing it.
Milamba dispensary is expected to serve a population of over 30,000 in the area.
ADMARC to increase crop value addition
By Isaac Jim
Blantyre, October 5, Mana: Government through Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) has expressed interest to start processing and add value to various farm commodities it buys from farmers.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Friday, ADMARC’s Public Relations Officer, Theresa Chapulapula said the government’s main objective of transforming the country’s economic landscape by moving from an importing to an exporting nation is among the reasons for the new development.
“ADMARC has found out that customers often buy maize to process at mills. Recognizing the higher demand for maize flour, we aim to directly fulfill this consumer need,” she said.
Chapulapula added that the initiative will help to improve nutrition and food security including providing economic benefits to the local farmers in the country.
“This initiative will help to improve nutrition and food security by increasing access to locally produced nutritious foods, reducing dependence on imports, and supporting local farmers. Maize flour that will be sold will be fortified which will assist in the nutrition value of the maize consumption.
“This will help to increase income for farmers by providing them with a stable market for their crops, ensuring they receive fair prices for their produce,” she added.
Agriculture expert, Tamani Nkhono Mvula supports ADMARC's decision, stating that selling raw products does not provide much value to the company.
“Value-added products like maize flour will be easier to sell and can reach a wider market,” he said.
St Charles Lwanga Catholic Choir to launch album
By Benedicto Maguda
Blantyre, October 5, Mana: St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Choir under St Charles Lwanga Parish in Zomba Diocese will on Sunday launch an audio album titled Pitani Kalalikileni at Banja Loyera, Chilinde Parish in Lilongwe.
Speaking with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Friday, Edward Lino Kalemba, who is the choirmaster, said preparation are underway for the worship day.
“As a choir, we are preparing for this very important day because we want to make it unforgettable. We are happy because the guest choir on this day will be St Johns Msamba Choir 1,” he said.
Kalemba said they have decided to name the new album Pitani Kalalikileni to inform other gospel singers and all people to go in different parts of the country to preach the gospel of the Lord.
“There may still be other areas where people have not heard the gospel, that is why we are telling our fellow choristers and other gospel singers to continue preaching the word of God,” Kalemba said.
The album, which has 12 songs, will be available in CDs and flash discs with Ndikupembedza inu, Mulungu wathu wopatsa, tiimbire lero, Mkulu wa Ansembe onse, and Miphakati as some of the songs.
“Some of the songs are from our Catholic hymn and prayers book. We are hoping that these songs will lift up the hearts of listeners,” he said.
He said the choir is launching the album in Lilongwe because they wanted to engage people from the district and to open up new relationship.
Supporting choirs that will be present on the day are Chanco Alumni, Bunda CSO, all choirs from Mtima Woyera Deanery and others from Lilongwe Archdiocese.
Ministry to provide mental health professionals in education institutions
By Prisca Mashushu
Lilongwe, October 5, Mana: Ministry of Health is set to provide mental health services and professionals to primary, secondary and tertiary education institutions as one way of dealing with mental health issues in the country.
Ministry of Health Public Relations Officer, Adrian Chikumbe, said in an interview that the Ministry has decided to provide the service in education institutions due to the increased number of mental health cases in the country.
He said there is a great need for psychosocial support and government intends to identify primary and secondary school teachers that should be able to provide counselling and physiology first aid if an unusual behaviour is noted on children.
“Government is already providing counselling services to people in different health centres in the country and materials have already been distributed in all these centres to help people in dealing with mental issues.
“We are also doing mental health awareness in different parts of the country. For example, on October 10 every year, the country commemorates mental health awareness day,” he said.
Mental health expert, Chiwoza Bandawe, commended government for the positive attitude towards mental health in the country.
“Government attitude towards mental health has shifted greatly recently, a development which can help to construct more health facilities, train more qualified mental health professionals and introduce more faculty that deals with it to ensure more health professionals in schools, churches and hospitals.
“There is need for awareness starting from community levels to help people understand that it’s ok to have mental issues and open up to the right personnel to avoid increase in number of suicide cases in the country,” said Bandawe.
He, therefore, encouraged government to work with stakeholders such as community and church leaders as well as the media by introducing more mental health programs that can help people to be understood, obtain knowledge and be aware of mental health issues.
LCMD distributes goats in Neno
By Salome Gangire
Neno, October 5, Mana: Link Community Development Malawi (LCDM) through its Climate Just Communities project has distributed 600 goats to 120 households in Neno District valued at K6 million on a pass on initiative.
The initiative, which has seen each household receiving five goats, is aimed at improving climate justice and resilience for smallholder farmers.
Speaking during the distribution exercise Friday at Kasamba Clinic in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Symon, Link Community Development Malawi Project Manager, Clement Mwazambumba, said the initiative is within the project’s theme of “Livelihoods Security” and intervention of sustainable agriculture and food security.
“The initiative is focused on promoting sustainable livestock farming by assisting with the acquisition and distribution of goats to selected farmer groups,” he said.
He said the initiative prioritized the most vulnerable and marginalized farmers in the farmers group, which include youths, female-headed homes and people with disabilities as one way of promoting inclusion and leaving no one behind in sustainable development.
Mwazambumba said the farmers will also pass on the offspring to other farmers within the group, which will then create a self-sustaining cycle of empowerment and resilience.
He said farmers were also trained on goat care, breeding and sustainable livestock management for them to successfully implement the initiative.
Director of Planning and Development for Neno, Charles Lomoni, said the initiative will greatly improve local farmers livelihood as they will benefit from the economic value of goats through milk, manure and potential sales.
A beneficiary from Manyenje Village in TA Symon, Mary White, expressed excitement saying the program is timely as it will help her make enough savings to enable her pay her children’s school fees who will soon be going to secondary school.
LCDM in collaboration with DAI UK Global with funding from United Scottish Government is implementing a two-year Climate Just Communities project in TA Symon to address challenges impeding community development resulting from adverse impacts of climate change.
The project's objectives include empowering local communities to identify and prioritize climate-related challenges, enabling marginalized groups to take proactive measures in tackling these issues and fostering community advocacy for sustainable change.
Salima embarks on women political empowerment
By Lekereni Chinkhota
Salima, October 5, Mana: Salima District Council in collaboration with the Women's Legal Resources Centre (WOLREC) and OXFAM has engaged women leaders to address challenges they face and identify solutions in a bid to promote women's participation in political activities and decision-making.
Speaking during a women’s assembly held at Rivermark Lodge in Salima on Thursday, Salima District Council Director of Human Resources, Grace Kamtande, expressed concern over the low representation of women in decision-making platforms, which she said undermines their voices.
Kamtande said it is unfortunate that women are not active in patronizing various political positions as well as supporting one another to assume such roles that would give them a platform to voice out issues that concern them.
"As a district, we are not doing well in terms of representation for women, youth, and people with disabilities in different platforms to voice their concerns and contribute to solutions,” Kamtande said.
She said the Council wants inclusion so that their voices are also heard and issues that impede them are solved.
Kamtande attributed the poor representation to women’s lack of confidence and guidance, stressing the need for empowerment and awareness.
She explained that many women underestimate their potential, believing their roles are confined to domestic duties.
“Lack of awareness and sensitization is leading to poor representation. Women need to understand themselves that they have potential and WOLREC as well as OXFAM are helping them realize that,” she said.
She, therefore, urged women to take up leadership positions to make a positive impact not only in their homes but also across the nation.
A representative from Pemba Area Development Committee, Edrina Kenamu, praised WOLREC and OXFAM for creating a platform where women can express their concerns.
She emphasized that women need to be more active in decision-making as male leaders often overlook issues affecting them.
“We have realized that when men represent us, many of the issues important to women are not addressed. This assembly has empowered us to begin taking leadership roles and influence change in our communities,” Kenamu said.
She encouraged women to support fellow women aspiring for political positions such as councillors or Members of Parliament to ensure their voices are heard and uplift one another.
The assembly brought together women from all circles of life in all the traditional authorities in Salima with a special focus on members of Community-Based Organizations, women’s forums and other community groups.
The goal was to inspire more women to take on leadership roles and drive positive change.
Mchinji receives health centre
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, October 4, Mana: Deputy Minister of Health, Halima Daudi, has hailed government and its partners' relationship to ensure that people are accessing health care services easily.
Daudi said this Thursday at Mbewa, Traditional Authority (TA) Kawere in Mchinji during the official opening of Nafuse Health Centre, which has been constructed by Our Aim Foundation (OAF).
She said the opening of the facility symbolizes collective efforts to bring health, hope and opportunity to the people of Mbewa and surrounding areas.
“As the Government, we recognize the critical role that international organizations such as OAF play in driving sustainable development.
“We are committed to fostering an environment that supports these partnerships, ensuring that together we can deliver lasting change for the benefit of our people. We are doing everything possible to collaborate with such organizations to maximize their impact and improve quality of life for all Malawians,” Daudi said.
She encouraged communities of Mbewa Village and surrounding areas to take care of the facility.
“This facility belongs to you; it is a vital resource for everyone in this community. Together we must ensure that it is cared for, maintained, and respected so that it may continue to serve not just today’s generation but future generations as well,” she said.
TA Kawere said the facility has come in at the right time as people used to travel long distances to access health services.
“This facility has eased problems people here used to face. The nearest health facilities are just too far for people especially women with babies,” said TA Kawere.
OAF President, Nisha Mandani, said after seeing that women were going very far to get medical help for their children they thought of helping so that they can get medical services easily.
“The closest health facility is 30 kilometres away and it is difficult for women to get medical help there. We decided to put the health facility here so that we ease the burden of distance,” said Mandani.
The facility, which will be serving over 1,000 people surrounding it, will be offering crucial services like maternity care, immunizations and check-ups.
Further, it will be providing emergency services and help combat prevalent diseases like malaria and other waterborne diseases.
OAF is a non-profit organization that has been assisting communities living in multi-generational poverty across countries in South Asia, Africa, as well as regions in the United States of America for the past 15 years.
NEEF engages community leaders in Zomba
By Solister Mogha
Zomba, October 5, Mana: National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) on Thursday engaged community leaders in Zomba to discuss the organization’s aspirations and challenges in the course of disbursing loans to the underserved population.
NEEF Chief Executive Officer, Humphrey Mdyetseni, said the meeting was a follow up to the previous meeting held in April this year where it was agreed that quarterly meetings should be conducted for updates.
“Sharing experience is of paramount importance hence this meeting. From this meeting, we expect to have constructive ideas that will improve NEEF operations,” he said.
Zomba City Mayor, Christopher Jana, hailed NEEF for organizing the meeting, which, he said, would iron out some of the impending challenges for people to access loans.
He observed that there is a lot that needs to be addressed despite NEEF’s contribution in empowering Malawians economically citing delays in disbursing loans to applicants.
“Sometimes we wonder if NEEF is really meant for Malawians. It takes long for people to access loans and this is an issue that needs to be addressed,” Jana said.
Jana, therefore, expressed hope that NEEF will take into consideration all the concerns raised during the meeting for the benefit of the underserved Malawians that aspire to be economically stable through NEEF loans.
Members of Parliament in Zomba, ward councilors, chiefs and business people were among those who attended the meeting.
So far, NEEF has disbursed K237 billion and the repayment is at 81 percent.
NEEF is a government owned microfinance institution whose mission is to economically empower ordinary and underserved Malawians
Stakeholders worried over low vaccine uptake amongst under-five children in Mzimba North
By Towera Kumwenda
Mzuzu, October 4, Mana: Mzimba North District Health Office (DHO) and other health authorities have expressed concern over cases of zero-dose children and vaccine defaulters in the district.
Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Coordinator for Mzimba North DHO, George Nundwe, raised the concern at Chigude in the district on Thursday during an interactive meeting with members of Chigude Mother Care Group.
The meeting was organized by Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) through its project which aims at identifying zero-dose children and strengthening routine immunization.
Nundwe said over 10 children within the catchment area of Chigude Health Post are unvaccinated while some continue to default.
He said the development was an indication that about 20 percent of children in the district are either unvaccinated or have defaulted vaccines.
“We have equipped mother care group with knowledge on channels to ensure that households are reached with adequate information on the importance of vaccinating their children.
“This arrangement is also aimed at dispelling misconceptions or beliefs surrounding vaccination hence we regularly hold such meetings with influential leaders and mother groups within their communities to scale up various vaccination initiatives,” said Nundwe.
Chairperson for Chigude Mother Care Group, Gertrude Muyaba, cited long distance to health facilities, lack of adequate information on vaccination and poor road infrastructure as some of the challenges counteracting efforts in ensuring that under five access vaccines.
“We, therefore, suggest that health surveillance assistants should be provided with transport which they can use to reach and vaccinate children in hard-to-reach areas,” said Muyaba.
MHEN Assistant Project Officer, Herbert Chakwawa, noted that some of the households deny their children vaccines due to religious and cultural beliefs.
He called for coordinated efforts among various stakeholders in addressing the challenge.
Inkosana Chimimba Nkhata said there are by-laws with penalties within his area to motivate households to have all children are vaccinated.
The project which is being implemented by MHEN in partnership with PATH through the Ministry of Health is taking place in Mzimba North, Mchinji, Blantyre and Dowa.
Mwasip disburses K285 million to Zomba communities
By Emily M'mangisa
Zomba, October 5, Mana: Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project (Mwasip) has disbursed grants amounting to K285 million to communities implementing sustainable land management activities in Zomba District.
The funds are meant to encourage members through their Village Level Action Plan (VILAPS) to continue conserving the environment while establishing small-scale businesses.
Speaking during the funds disbursement at Chingale in the district, Zomba District Commissioner, Reignhard Chavula, advised farmers to invest the money into profitable enterprises.
She said although the grant is a token of appreciation for participating in conserving the environment, recipients of the grants should use the resources for businesses that should bring profits to broaden their income base.
“The value of money depends on how you use it. I, therefore, urge you to invest this money into something that will continue to spin money for you,” Chavula advised the recipients.
Mwasip Technical Officer, Joseph Kanyangalazi, said the Community Environmental Conservation Fund is aimed at encouraging farmers to conserve the environment.
He said farmers in Zomba have managed to restore 7,000 hectares which is worth rewarding.
“The target is 8,000 hectares and I believe that this will be achieved and even surpassed. All the 77 groups have been awarded with grants in recognition to their efforts to conserve the environment,” Kanyangalazi said.
One of the recipients, Joseph Kachimanga, said the gesture has motivated communities to continue protecting and conserving the environment in Chingale and has since promised to effectively utilize the funds.
Mwasip, which aims at restoring 4.5 million of degraded hectares by 2030, has been implementing sustainable land management activities for over four years in Chingale, an area along the Shire River Basin.
The objective of the project is to reduce soil degradation and river siltation due to human activities which include deforestation and cultivation along the river line.
