By Wakisa Myamba

Karonga, August 12, Mana: Children in Karonga have asked parents, government and other stakeholders to ensure children, especially those in school, have more access to internet to enhance their learning, communication, participation in decision making and their general development.

Speaking on behalf of her fellow children during commemoration of this year’s Day of the African Child at Ngara Primary School in the district, Eliza Chavula, a standard 7 learner said internet was a tool that could enhance children’s enjoyment of freedom of expression. 

She noted that some children are abusing the internet by among other things downloading or streaming adult content.

“Internet is a very necessary tool for children in this digital era, only if we use it properly and responsibly. I warn my fellow children against streaming or downloading pornographic materials. I also request parents and guardians to monitor their children against accessing pornographic materials on the internet,” Chavula said.

Karonga District Council Chairperson, Misheck Mwaijengo asked well-wishers and stakeholders to support the district with ICT equipment that learners can be using to access internet services.

A Council Secretariat Official, Ireen Mwenelupembe said increasing internet access for learners was one of the priorities in the district’s development plans.

“We recognize the importance of internet access to primary and secondary school learners. As such, one of our development plans for the district is to build infrastructure in schools where learners should have access to the internet,” she said. 

This year’s Day of the African Child commemoration was held under a theme, ‘The rights of the child in the digital environment.

By Chilungamo Missi

Blantyre, August 31, Mana: Deputy Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health in the Ministry of Health, Henry Phiri has appealed to people of Traditional Authority (TA) Somba in Blantyre to report to law enforcers about Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) that occurs in their area.

Phiri made the call on Tuesday at Somba area where Blantyre District Health Office (DHO) organised an open day to raise awareness on the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) and SGBV during disasters.

He said during disasters, vulnerable groups of people usually meet various problems that include infringement of their rights by duty bearers and other people of authority in their communities.

“When many districts were affected by Tropical Cyclone Freddy, our health team came to Blantyre district camps and saw about 8,000 clients with health-related issues and only 10 people reported issues of GBV, while the police did not receive any complaint concerning SGBV. However, this does not mean that there was no SGBV occurring,” Phiri said.

He said the Directorate of Sexual and Reproductive Health saw the need to visit Blantyre to raise awareness on SGBV during disaster and advise communities on the reporting lines.

“It is important to report such issues and this is why we are here to raise awareness. We know that issues of SGBV rise during disasters despite being in a humanitarian crisis. This awareness aims at letting people know what to do, how to protect themselves and where to report,” said Phiri.

Apart from raising awareness on SGBV, the directorate is also training a task team and providers in MISP which includes treatment interventions during disasters

Retired Blantyre District Nursing and Medical Officer, Paulina Mwasigala who graced the event said disaster survivors have the right to access medical care during disasters.

She observed that there are some officials who sexually abused women in exchange of services that are meant to be free.

She said: “Pregnant women deserve all care while in camps and need to be assisted when they are due to deliver or need to be told where to go in a kind manner.”

In his remarks, TA Somba hailed Blantyre DHO for the awareness saying it will help stop SGBV in his area.

He, therefore, urged people in the area to report issues of SGBV to relevant authorities and desist from mob justice.

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By Wakisa Myamba

Karonga, August 30, Mana: Nurses and support staff at Karonga District Hospital (KDH) have today started a sit-in as they demand the removal of the hospital’s management.

The main gate to the hospital has been closed and posters pasted all over, with messages calling for the immediate removal of the Director of Health and Social Services (DHSS), District Environmental Health officer (DEHO), District Medical Officer (DMO), District Nursing and Midwifery Officer (DNMO), Transport Officer and Senior Nursing Officer.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency, Spokesperson for the disgruntled employees, Dunstan Phiri said they have lost trust in their management accusing the leadership of poor management.

“We want the immediate transfer of the District Health Management Team comprising DHSS, DEHO, DNMO, DMO, HR, Transport Officer and Senior Nursing Officer. We don’t trust them anymore,” Phiri said.

On 15^th of August 2023, these nurses and support staff petitioned the district commissioner (DC) demanding the transfer of the management team.

Among other reasons, management is being accused of failure to provide food for nurses on locum, failure to buy uniforms, fuel mismanagement and favouritism.

Commenting on the issue, Karonga DC, Rodrick Mateauma said the issues were resolved at council level and a way forward was drawn.

“The same was communicated to the Local Government Service Commission. However, having resolved the issues and agreed on a way forward, they are still insisting that the DHMT members be posted away,” Mateauma said.

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By Andrew Gondwe

Chitipa, August 29, Mana: Principal Nutrition and HIV/AIDS Officer (PNHAO) for Chitipa, Martins Mkandawire says coordination among stakeholders is one of the factors that is ensuring smooth implementation of nutrition interventions in the district.

Mkandawire was speaking on Tuesday when District Nutrition Coordination Committee (DNCC) members from Mzimba North visited their counterparts in Chitipa to learn from them and share experiences on implementation of nutrition interventions.

Mkandawire said Chitipa DNCC encourages team work among stakeholders in nutrition, saying that was the reason why the district was recently named as third best district in the country on implementation of nutrition activities under AFIKEPO project. 

“As DNCC, we don’t allow any partner to work in isolation. We encourage every stakeholder to fully participate in all nutrition activities taking place in the district to ensure sustainability.

“Every partner brings a work plan which has to be normalised in the reporting systems of DNCC.  This helps to know which partner is implementing what activities in which Traditional Authority,” Mkandawire said.

District Manager for Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Chitipa, Dr. Edwin Siyame commended Chitipa DNCC for actively involving Area Development Committees (ADCs) and Village Development Committees (VDCs) in nutrition activities, saying it ensures promotion of good nutrition practices at grassroots level.

"Adolescent groups are also involved through their schools by School Health and Nutrition teachers. These teachers assist learners to establish orchard gardens in the schools. This will promote sustainability of nutrition promotion activities in the district,” said Dr Siyame.

PNHAO for Mzimba north Dorica Bambe, said Mzimba North DNCC was motivated with success stories they learnt from Chitipa DNCC.

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By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, August 26, mana: Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM) Health Services Manager, Dumisani Nkhoma says his organisation and the ministry of health have rolled out a three-year project aimed at enhancing and strengthening non communicable diseases (NCDs) systems for hypertension and diabetes care. 

Speaking on Friday during a district executive committee (DEC) meeting in Mzimba, Nkhoma said the project aims at addressing gaps in management and diagnosis of NCDs.

Nkhoma said Non Communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes continue to be on the increase in the country, however official records show low figures of those suffering because most people don’t go for screening to know their status.

 ‘‘The project has a target to screen at least 6200 adults of hypertension and diabetes among Nkhatabay and Mzimba districts by 2025,’’ said Nkhoma.

According to Nkhoma, the project also aims at increasing coverage of NCDs in the two districts to 12 facilities from the current nine in two years in addition to controlling hypertension and diabetes in the two districts.

‘‘The project will also increase community awareness about NCDs through religious leaders to create demand for NCDs and ensure quality NCD services are provided at health centres. It will also strengthen capacity of medics through trainings.’’

Director of Education, Youth and Sports for M’mbelwa District Council, Fiddes Msowoya hailed CHAM and ministry of health for the project saying with the high cases of NCDs among communities there was need to intensify screening and treatment of the diseases.

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By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, August 24, Mana: Press Trust on Wednesday donated medical equipment and supplies worth K500 million to Chitipa District Council through the Ministry of Health for the upgrading of Nthalire Health Centre into a rural hospital.

Speaking after receiving the donation, Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, thanked Press Trust for being a true partner in the country’s development which has been manifested by the trust in allocating K2 billion for the health sector.

"The donation which Press Trust has handed over to Chitipa District Council is fit for purpose. We sat down with Press Trust to look at the challenges we have. Today’s donation follows our request which we presented to the Trust. This is how corroboration is should be," Chiponda said.

Chiponda, therefore, asked health workers in the district to use the equipment for the intended purpose to improve service delivery and win trust of organisations and development partners.

Chairperson for Press Trust, Engineer Wilson Chirwa said the trust decided to strategically focus its social investment in the health sector targeting maternal and child health interventions.

"We would like to contribute towards the increase of Malawians with health care seeking behaviors, reduce maternal related deaths and under-five deaths and decongestion of secondary health facilities through upgrading of health centres into community rural hospitals," said Chirwa.

He further said that the initiative aligns well with the strategic focus in Malawi Investment Plan (MIP) 1 of the Malawi 2063 and the Health Sector Strategic Plan (2020-2030).

Chairperson for Chitipa District Council, Toweracharo Mnyenyembe was grateful to Press Trust for the donation.

"Your generosity will undoubtedly go a long way in improving the quality of healthcare services. We value your partnership and commitment to our district's development,” said Mnyenyembe.

Senior Chief Mwabulambya thanked the trust for the gesture which he said will assist not only people of Chitipa but also neighboring countries of Zambia and Tanzania.

Some of the medical equipment and supplies included sick beds, mattresses, CD scanning machines, wheelchairs and gloves, among others.

Press Trust is expanding Ntaja Health Centre in Machinga and Nthalire Health Centre in Chitipa districts into rural hospitals.

By Aliko Munde & Andrew Gondwe

Chitipa, August 19, Mana: Chairperson for Chitipa District Council, Councilor Toweracharo Mnyenyembe has applauded AFIKEPO project for improving nutritional status of people saying cases of malnutrition have reduced in the district since the project was rolled out in 2017. 

Speaking on Friday during the launch of Performance Based Incentives (PBI) awards to best performing groups under AFIKEPO, Mnyenyembe encouraged people in the district to continue good nutrition practices.  

"We understand AFIKEPO project is coming to an end this coming December. Let's continue practicing what we have learnt on six food groups and practicing good hygiene and sanitation," Mnyenyembe said.

Mulungu cluster leader, Funny Mogha whose group was one of the winners, applauded AFIKEPO project for awarding best performing groups, which she said will go a long way in motivating them.

Chitipa District Food and Nutrition Officer, Gift Nyasulu, who is also PBI Taskforce Chairperson, said in selecting PBI awardees, groups were assessed on their nutrition reporting systems and improved indicators.

“The nutrition reporting system includes the six food groups, which people must eat to prevent malnutrition while practicing hygiene and sanitation like using toilets properly and cleaning the surroundings are some examples of improved indicators,” said Nyasulu.

PBI was introduced by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) while AFIKEPO project is funded by the European Union.

By Ireen Mseteka

Likoma, August 23, Mana: Likoma District Council has awarded Chaduka Building Contractor and Uncle Sammy Construction Companies a K459 million contract to construct an outpatient department (OPD) at Chima Health Centre in Likoma, the only public health facility in the district.

 Speaking on Tuesday during official handover of the construction site for the project, Vice Chairperson for the district’s Project Implementation Committee, Victoria Nkhoma said many lives will be saved in the district since additional medical services will be offered at the health facility.  

"We have been told that the OPD will also have an X-ray machine, which means, many people will be diagnosed at the OPD which will be cheaper than traveling to the mainland to access the services," said Nkhoma.

Director of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Dr Grace Mathewe said once completed the OPD will alleviate some problems the health sector in the district is currently encountering, citing congestion and monetary expenses when it comes to referrals among others.

He disclosed that they spend about K700 000 to refer a patient to central hospitals for x-ray services. 

Director of Administration (DOA) for Likoma District's Council, Grace Kamtande advised the contractors to complete the project in time. 

"It is our hope that you are going to abide by the agreement and we would like the structure to be in operation by early next year," said Kamtande.

In his remarks, Director for Uncle Sammy Construction Company, Sammy Phiri said they will deliver to the expected standards, adding that they will complete the project in four months. 

By Ireen Mseteka

Likoma, August 24, Mana: Promoter for Yofu and Makulawe (YOMA), Tuntufye Mwambafula has applauded Invest in Early Years Programme (IEYP) for improving livelihoods in Likoma through promotion of nutrition in the district.

Speaking on Thursday during a cooking demonstration and nutrition open day organized by IEYP and Sustainable Fisheries, Aquaculture Development and Watershed Management (SFAD - WM), Mwambafula said beneficiaries of the project are able to prepare balanced diets after the program distributed to them livestock and seedlings for various fruits.

"We are able to eat all the six types of food because, through the program, we were given goats, chickens, ducks, crops and fruit seeds. The programme is helping community members to sustain their nutritional status," she said.

IEY Community Facilitator for Likoma, Vision Mkumbwa said the programme specifically targets lactating mothers, pregnant women and under-five children to improve nutritional statuses.

"The project promotes food diversification among community members using locally available food stuffs. That is why the program provides crop seeds, fruit seedlings and livestock to the targeted beneficiaries so that they can be able to diversify their diets,” said Mkumbwa.

District Fisheries Officer (DFO) for Likoma, Richard Banda commended the programme for promoting fish production in the district, saying fishes are a basis of livelihoods and economic wellbeing for most people in the island district. 

By Tiwonge Kampondeni

Karonga, August 24, Mana: Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda has noted with concern gaps in service delivery at Kaporo Rural Hospital in Karonga as it is transitioning from a health centre.

Chiponda visited the hospital on Wednesday where, among others, she observed that some departments, including the dental department which has state-of-the-art dental equipment, are not offering services.

“We cannot have equipment sit and gather dust like this. Our attitude should change to match that of a hospital otherwise it will be discouraging to the donors who are supporting us with different equipment,” Chiponda said.

Other challenges the hospital is facing include limited expansion space as some residents have, over the years, encroached on the hospital’s land.

Chiponda said the Ministry will take up the issue to ensure that all land allocated for health service delivery should be secured with deeds as a control measure.

The Minister, therefore, warned the staff against breaching work ethics saying the malpractice compromises the service delivery.

She called for frequent supervision to ensure that staff report for work on time, have a good relationship with patients and take care of resources such as medicine.

Kaporo Rural Hospital Clinical Technician, Martha Wandawanda said infrastructure and shortage of staff are key challenges the hospital is facing.

“We serve over 74,000 people but we only have two clinicians, we also don’t have houses for staff,” Wandawanda said.

Karonga District Director of Health and Social Services, Dr David Sibale said understaffing is a challenge that is affecting all health facilities in the district.