MANAonline
PIH donates three ambulances to Neno DHO
By Wellington Sibale
Neno, July 13, Mana: Partners in Health (PIH), a global health and social justice organization, popularly known as Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo on Friday donated three ambulances to Neno District Health Office (DHO) as one way of improving the referral system.
Speaking during the official handover ceremony at Neno District Hospital, PIH Executive Director, Basimenye Nhlema said the gesture reaffirms PIH’s commitment to supporting Malawi government’s efforts in strengthening health systems.
Nhlema said the move is one way of improving the referral system; thereby, improving health status especially maternal and neonatal health outcomes for the district.
She said it is the mandate of PIH to work and support the Ministry of Health and the donated ambulances will help to curb negative patient outcomes that are recorded in Neno due to delayed transfer of patients from primary health Centre’s.
“All this is meant to strengthen and expand the provision of advanced and high-quality emergency and critical care services right here in the district,” said Nhlema.
She, therefore, appealed to Neno District Council to take ownership of the vehicles and ensure that they are used effectively and sustainably to address patient referral needs in the district.
Neno District Council Director of Health and Social Services, Dr. Enoch Ndarama commended PIH for the gesture, saying the support has come at the right time.
“We are happy for the donation and this is what collaboration is all about. We have been working with Partners in Health for a long time and they have been supporting us for quite an extensive time including this year’s donation,” he said.
Ndarama said the three ambulances will bridge the gap that existed in transferring patients from different health facilities to the district hospital and from district hospital to central hospital.
“This donation has come at the right time because we have been facing challenges in transportation and we are grateful for the support that PIH has rendered to us,” Ndarama said.
All three ambulances were purchased at an overall combined cost amounting to $123,963.92 (equivalent of K214, 919, 922.50).
From the three ambulances, one was procured with support from Global Affairs Canada and it has been in the district since 2020 operating under PIH, particularly in Lower Neno at Lisungwi Community Hospital.
While the other two ambulances were procured in March 2023 with funding from WYSS Medical Foundation which will also support the rehabilitation of a High Dependency Unit at the DHO which is yet to be commissioned and is meant to strengthen and expand the provision of advanced and high-quality emergency and critical care services in the district
Apart from donating the ambulances, PIH has also granted scholarships to health workers in the district as one way of ensuring that there is continuation of the medical education and training programmes to improve the overall quality of health services.
Communities urged to observe hygiene and sanitation
By Mwai Kumanda
Lilongwe, July 13, Mana: Councilor for Chiwamba Ward in the area of Traditional Authority Chimutu, Hardwell Jani has urged people in his area to observe hygiene and sanitation for them to avoid contracting waterborne diseases such as cholera.
Jani made the call on Friday during the clean-up exercise at Chiwamba market, which was organized by the Lilongwe district council.
He said members of the community can end diseases like cholera in their communities if they continue observing hygiene and sanitation on daily basis in their homes and public places such as markets.
Jani further said people should stop thinking that the clean-up exercises that President Chakwera introduced are for the officers only saying it is for every person even those who are not employed in government agencies and departments.
“Cholera is a result of poor sanitation, so the only way of preventing it is to observe hygiene. I am encouraging people of this community to take these clean-up exercises seriously,” he said.
Health Surveillance Assistant for Chiwamba Health Centre, Francis Mdzinga thanked the council for the initiative saying it has been an eye opener to the members of the community on the importance of keeping their surrounding tidy and clean.
Mdzinga further said good sanitation and hygiene practices can also boost people’s mental, emotional well-being and energy to tackle their daily activities.
Lilongwe District Council Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Blessings Makhilinga said the council will continue working hand in hand with members of the community in promoting hygiene and sanitation to prevent diseases.
Makhilinga said it is the wish of the council to end the spread of the cholera outbreak in the district, hence adopting the initiative.
MACRA embarks on digital rights and responsibilities campaign
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, July 13, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has embarked on a campaign to educate consumers about their rights and responsibilities in the communication sector.
This sector includes essential services like broadcasting, mobile telecommunications, internet, and courier provision.
The campaign aims to ensure that consumers are well informed and effectively engage with service providers.
Hutchson Mkwapatira, MACRA's Consumer Affairs Manager, said the importance of the initiative is for people to be enlightened.
"People need to understand what is expected of the service providers and what is expected of them. This knowledge will empower consumers to demand better services and hold providers accountable," Mkwapatira stated.
Part of the campaign is also informing the public about the upcoming phase-out of airtime scratch cards.
He added: "We are moving towards using electronic platforms for purchasing airtime. This transition is necessary to modernize our communication infrastructures."
Bornface Maigwa, one of the consumers who attended the sensitization event at Mchinji boma, expressed happiness with the campaign.
"This campaign is important as it has enlightened us on our rights regarding the consumption of communication services. There are obligations that service providers must honour, and if they fail, we need to report them to MACRA. At the same time, we also have to take care of the equipment they use to provide us with services," said Maigwa.
Maigwa also welcomed the move to phase out scratch cards saying it is a good move to prepare consumers so that they can adapt to new methods and ensure a smooth transition.
During the event, most consumers complained about poor telecommunication services especially those using cellular phones and slow internet connection and on the other hand, service providers complained of infrastructure vandalism.
Minister applauds efforts to improve menstrual hygiene for girls
By Lynnette Chataika
Mchinji, July 13, Mana: Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Mia, has expressed satisfaction with organizations working towards enhancing sanitation for young girls and women by creating reusable and reliable sanitary pads.
Speaking at Pinda Primary School in Mchinji on Friday during the commemoration of World Menstrual Hygiene Day, Mia encouraged mothers, communities, and schools to support girls in continuing their education regardless of their menstrual periods.
“I commend you all for what you are doing and as government, we will build toilets around schools, create changing rooms, and ensure there is access to water in many schools,” said Mia.
Also speaking at the event, Executive Director for Water Environmental Sanitation Network Willies Mwandira emphasized the need for affordable and effective menstrual products.
He praised Water Aid Organization for training primary school girls and women to make reusable menstrual pads.
“I think that should be the way to go,” Mwandira stated.
Eziz Hellenov, Deputy Representative of the United Nations Population Fund, highlighted the importance of education for girls and the role of the community in providing essential menstrual hygiene products.
“The future of the country lies in educated girls. The community should build towards providing essential menstrual hygiene products so that girls can attend school without fear or shame,” said Hellenov.
The commemoration brought together various development partners such as Norwegian Church Aid/Dan Church Aid, Plan International, and other organizations that promote the rights of children and women.
Old Mutual Pension Services advocates for voluntary pension schemes
By Arnold Namanja
Blantyre, July 13, Mana: Old Mutual Pension Services Company has urged Malawians to consider joining voluntary pension scheme services for a better future.
Old Mutual Pension Services Manager, Taonga Manda made the call during a half-day media training held in Blantyre, jointly organized by the Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi, Association of Women in Media (AWOME) and Old Mutual.
Manda emphasized the benefits of voluntary pensions under Malawi’s Pension Act of 2023.
He observed that the majority of Malawians are not in formal employment settings that would cover them under mandatory pension schemes; hence, they should take advantage of the new arrangement that gives them the liberty to decide how much they want to save for the future.
“These savings will help you and your dependents in the future when they retire. We have a large population that is not covered in formal employment settings thereby creating the need to sensitize them about planning for their future from the little they earn,” he added.
Manda also pointed out the importance of journalists in disseminating the information to the masses, noting: “Journalists are a reliable tool for spreading information of this kind, so we thought of engaging them to ensure they understand the basics of the law for effective presentation of facts.”
MISA Malawi National Governing Council Member, Chikondi Mmanga Kasambara expressed hope that the media will benefit from the training both in providing accurate information to their audience and in their own future planning.
“As a governing body of journalists in the country, we are glad that our members are among the first beneficiaries,” said Kasambara.
“If they are well-informed, they will be able to send out accurate information. We know Old Mutual cannot disseminate this information on its own; they will rely on the media,” she added.
Statistically, 90 percent of the country’s population is not in formal employment, underscoring the need to adopt voluntary pension schemes.
District Information Officers, PROs key to Reforms Agenda
By Leonard Masauli
Lilongwe, July 13, Mana: Director of Information, Communications, Education, and Public Sector Reforms Management Department, Suzgo Khunga, has emphasized that Public Relations Officers (PROs) and District Information Officers (DIOs) are crucial to the reforms agenda, as they play a vital role in publicizing progress initiatives within various ministries and parastatals.
Khunga expressed the sentiments at Crossroads Hotel on Friday during an orientation meeting with PROs and DIOs on Public Sector Reforms.
She highlighted the importance of these officers being well-informed about institutional activities, particularly reforms, to effectively communicate and track progress.
"As a starting point, we thought it necessary to meet the team, so they are aware of the Public Sector Reforms, their origins, and our current communication level. Public Sector Reforms is a government initiative and a recurring effort at every stage and level of government."
Spokesperson for the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority, Kate Kujaliwa, echoed Khunga's views, stating that the meeting was critical for the Public Sector Reforms.
She emphasized that DIOs and PROs are key stakeholders in information dissemination and public awareness.
However, Kujaliwa pointed out that many institutions have information and PR officers in low-ranking positions, with decisions being made at the management level.
"We believe that through these reforms, communications and PR specialists should also be placed at the management level," she said.
"This will allow them to contribute their input when programs are being developed, ensuring they are not just involved at the end. Their skill set is essential for creating content, managing crises, and crafting impactful messages for Malawians," she said.
Government Hails Tourism Lab Meeting
By Sellah Chunda
Mana: July 11, 2024, Lilongwe: The government has described the full lab on Tourism meeting as successful, highlighting its potential to boost the tourism sector in Malawi.
Speaking at the end of the meeting in Lilongwe, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Chauncy Simwaka, noted that the areas tackled during the meeting would enhance service delivery across all sectors of tourism.
"The stakeholders discussed the bottlenecks hindering the growth of the tourism sector and proposed possible solutions to these challenges.
"Tourism Expo is just a small component of the many activities needed in tourism, but in this lab, we addressed issues of product development and connectivity, which were extremely beneficial to the industry," Simwaka said.
Director of the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), Dr. Enwell Kadango said during the three days’ lab, the Presidential Delivery Lab (PDU) tackled issues related to policies and legal framework to level the playing field for all operators in the tourism industry.
“We also focused on product development to ensure Malawi has products that attract visitors." Kadango said.
President Lazarus Chakwera established the Presidential Delivery Lab as an indicator of projects and progress in various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
SGVH Ntotela hails DAYO for Timveni Amayi Project
By Alex Kachingwe
Blantyre, July 13, Mana: Senior Group Village Head Ntotela of Traditional Authority Makata in Blantyre has expressed satisfaction with Domwe Active Youth Organization’s (Dayo) continued campaign dubbed: Timveni Amayi which is aimed at raising awareness on abuse against women in the area.
SGVH Ntotela disclosed that most of the women in his area have been facing different kind of abuses from their husbands like being denied access to family planning services and participation in business activities.
“It is true that most women in my area have been facing these challenges which is a total violation of their rights. But the introduction of this campaign has made a lot of men to realize their roles and responsibilities in protecting and respecting the rights of women in a family,” said Ntotela.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana), Dayo Executive Director, Kachale Kainga said after conducting a study, the findings indicated that many women from villages under T/A Makata are facing abuses on issues concerning business participation and accessing family planning services.
Kainga said the organization decided to provide counselling services to all men who did not understand the rights of women in order to allow women, pursue business activities and access family planning services in Domwe, Namwalisiyo and other surrounding villages.
A beneficiary of Dayo interventions, Pinna Manduwa said initially her husband could assault her for trying to access family planning services, but that such is no longer the case because Dayo intervened to make her husband understand the importance of allowing her to access family planning services and conduct a small business of Mandasi.
Blantyre District Gender Officer, Stephano Joseph stressed that the Constitution under Section 24, emphasizes on the freedom of women in the decision-making processes especially on matters that affect their wellbeing.
“Thus restricting women from taking part in socio-economic activities and access to family planning services is an absolute violation of their rights,” Joseph said.
He urged men to always respect the rights of women, saying anything that infringes on the rights of women is an offense punishable by the laws of Malawi.
Apart from raising awareness on abuses against women, Dayo is also providing entrepreneurship skills to women in T/A Makata such as sausages making in an attempt to make them self-reliant and improve their livelihoods.
Top TNM games on card
By Tione Andsen
Lilongwe, July 12, Mana: Following a FDH cup break, week 12 of 2024 TNM Super League takes a centre stage with promising intriguing fixtures for the weekend and battle for maximum points will be order of the day.
One of the interesting encounters of the weekend involves third placed, Kamuzu Barracks, the “Yellow Submarine” aka Chiwoko boys against League Leaders, Silver Strikers, genuine residents of Bwandilo “City” at Civo Stadium in Area 9, Lilongwe on Sunday.
However, it be interesting to watch as both teams are debasement from the wounds of their exit in the 2024 FDH Cup.
The lower division teams, Iponga and Blue Eagles had the guts to hold the bull by horn to the surprise of many as the fixtures looked too soft on paper.
The Chiwoko boys need to pick up pieces and stood firm to face a new challenge after six days of agony and have a task ahead of them.
They have very crucial mission on top of their heads and the adventure is to become the first team in the elite league to stop and dent Silver Strikers winning record of the season.
One paper, the head to head stats favours the Bankers but under ration can be recipe for disaster if not handled in the rightful manner and 90 minutes plus will be verdict of the real giant.
A win to them it will help them narrow points gap which is pegged at nine.
Silver have to forget their dismal performance and forge ahead to battle for maximum points away from as they did with the bitter rivals, Civil Service United with 0-2 beating.
Kamuzu Barracks have 20 points while Silver Strikers have 29 points from the same number of games played 11.
Another Saturday battle pips, second placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, with 21 points against eighth placed, Lions of Kaning’ina, Moyale Barracks with 14 points at Kamuzu stadium in Blantyre.
Both teams had wonderful results from FDH Cup and the odds looks promising and entertaining counter will ensure to consolidate points collection at all cost.
Wanderers using the home ground advantage are favoured to collect maximum points but on bad in office, the Mzuzu Brothers could be stubborn before family and friend alike.
It a must watch as both teams are in search for points in order to get closer to mantle holder.
Another top billing game will be on Sunday, as TNM Defending Champions, FCB Nyasa Bullets who are fifth of the table, are set to correct the wrongs when they face one of the top Lilongwe, giants, Civil Service United, lying ninth of the log at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Both team has smart wins in the FDH Cup encounters and they are bubbling with confidence that victories are on sight but the better team will carry the day.
Bullets have 16 points while the Servants have 14 points and are playing catch up with runaway leaders if their title dreams are to be realized.
The following are full fixtures for week 12 and kick is 2:30 pm
Saturday, July 13, 2024
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers vs Moyale Barracks @ Kamuzu Stadium
Mighty Tigers vs MAFCO @ Mpira Stadium
Creck Sporting vs Bangwe All Stars @ Civo Stadium
Karonga United vs FOMO @ Karonga Stadium
Sunday, July 14, 2024
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets vs Civil Service United @ Kamuzu Stadium
Kamuzu Barracks vs Silver Strikers @ Civo Stadium
Mzuzu City Hammers vs Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos @ Mzuzu Stadium
Chitipa United vs Baka City @ Karonga Stadium
Thyolo farmers urged to adopt catchment management to improve livelihoods
By Beni Bamusi
Thyolo, July 12, Mana: Farmers in Thyolo have been urged to embrace Integrated Catchment Conservation methods to improve their livelihoods and mitigate effects of climate change by promoting stability in the eco-system of catchment areas.
Thyolo District Council Chairperson, Rhustin Banda made the appeal at Maonga Primary School ground in the area of Sub Traditional Authority Mlenga in the district.
Banda said effects of climate change can not be overemphasized, saying people need to restore the environment.
“The district has recently experienced drought which has affected our harvests, if we are to follow catchment management initiatives, we can multiply our harvests,” he said.
Thyolo District Council Chief Agriculture Officer, Mphatso Kafuwa said the campaign will enhance good agricultural practices to farmers and villages as a whole so they can do everything with environmental conservation in mind.
“We are experiencing climate change due to environmental degradation. So, we need to plant trees in mountains, start gully reclamation which will rejuvenate the environment,” Kafuwa said.
Kafuwa urged all agriculture extension development coordinators from all the extension planning areas (EPAs) to emulate what is at Thyolo Central EPA where the launch has taken place.
Chief Land Resources Conservation Officer from Blantyre Agriculture Development Division, Medson Thole urged the farmers to conserve their fields using an integrated conservation method, particularly by planting trees in the upper catchment and practicing agroforestry to enhance crop production.
He said land is a very scarce resource in Thyolo, advsing farmers to restore the eroded soil, saying it is a big challenge to open up new farms.
Thole encouraged farmers to use fertilizer multiplication methods like Mbeya, noting that the inorganic fertilizer cannot be affordable to everyone in the country.
In his remarks, Sub Traditional Authority Mlenga thanked the district agriculture office for considering his area to host the launch, saying it shows that his area is working hard to restore degraded pockets of land and deforested areas.
Sub T/A Mlenga encouraged farmers in his area to emulate what other farmers were doing so that the area will be food secure.
Team Leader from Lujeri and Nchima Tea Estates, one of Thyolo District Council’s stakeholders, Hannock Maluwa, said it is high time farmers and people in Thyolo start to conserve natural resources in the district, noting that this will ease pressure on natural resources.
“We highly encourage farmers to start planting trees in their farms and along river banks. This will reduce the malpractice of people stealing logs of trees from tea estate forests, even encroaching company land and opening up farms because their fields cannot give enough yields since the soil has been eroded away,” he said.
