By Blackson Mkupatira

Dedza, August 24, Mana: Government, through the Ministry of Health, has rolled out a mass distribution exercise of Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) in five districts that were not accommodated during the 2021 exercise due to shortage of supply.

The districts are Dedza, Phalombe, Machinga, Ntheu and Chiradzulu.

Speaking during an orientation of LLIN district task force and supervisors in Dedza on Wednesday, LLIN National Task Force Chairperson Esther Kaunda said the move comes after noticing low malaria incidences in districts that benefited from the 2021 exercise.

"As you are aware, during the 2021 countrywide distribution five districts were left out because of shortage of mosquito nets and we noted that these districts are registering high cases of malaria than those that received. So we sought resources from Global Fund to procure more nets to ensure universal coverage throughout the country," she said.

Kaunda however said that only those that registered during the 2021 exercise are eligible to receive and that only 83 percent of the registered population will receive as they did not procure enough nets for the remaining targeted population.

"Distribution will be done on a first come first serve basis and one mosquito net will cover two people per household. For large sized families, a maximum of three nets will be given and not four like in the past," she added.

She therefore urged authorities in the district to mobilise communities and raise awareness on the importance of sleeping in mosquito nets, saying because of low risk perception many people use them as fences for their gardens or for fishing.

Commenting on the matter, Dedza District Hospital Malaria Coordinator Lawrence Ruben welcomed the development, saying malaria is one of the leading causes of death among pregnant women and under-five children in the district.

"Our health centers are always congested with malaria patients, so the coming in of this exercise will remove such pressure from our health centers. We just need to encourage people to use the nets for their intended purpose," said Rubeni.

On his part, Dedza District Hospital Environmental Health Officer Honoratus Kadyampakeni urged all stakeholders taking part in the distribution exercise to play their roles for smooth implementation of the activity.

The distribution exercise is expected to commence on September 4, and will run until September 8, 2023. About 460, 244 mosquito nets will be distributed in Dedza district.

By Ernest Mfunya

Mangochi, August 23, Mana. National Coordinator for Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 and Cholera, Brighton Mbaya has commended the Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) for combating cholera in Mangochi which resulted into Mangochi registering cholera reduced cases.

Mbaya and fellow National Task Force visited Bolera village, Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi on Tuesday to appreciate MRCS interventions on cholera outbreak that included provision of water supply system in the village that was hard hit by the water and food borne disease.

Speaking during the tour, Mbaya said that Mangochi was the worst hit by cholera but the district leadership and partners collaborated to ccontain the outbreak.

“What we have seen today is very impressivee, MRCS provided the community with water supplying system at Bolera Village,” he added.

He also observed that there was active community engagement at Traditional Authority Chimwala area saying initiatives in the area will help communities to adhere to best hygiene practices that will further help to stop cholera outbreak.

Mbaya said a recent declaration by government that cholera is no longer a health public concern in the country does not mean that cholera threat is over.

He therefore called on partners to continue supporting government with various interventions to stop cholera outbreak.

A total of 87 villages in 17 traditional authorities were affected since the confirmation of the first cholera case in 2022 as cumulatively Mangochi recorded 8,515 cases including 87 deaths.

In her remarks, MRCS Director of Programmes, Prisca Chisala commended the Presidential Task Force Team for the touring MRCS interventions in Mangochi, adding that this boosted the society’s morale in providing safe water and other cholera prevention supplies to ensure communities conducive and health environment.

“For the past months, we have been supporting the Malawi Government to combat cholera and Covid-19. On cholera, we looked at prevention and surveillance such that we trained MRCS volunteers and Health Surveillance Assistants in community based disease surveillance, epidemic control and WASH.” Chisala added.

On WASH interventions she said the MRCS mainly focused on access to safe water in cholera prone areas, adding that the MRCS drilled and rehabilitated boreholes,

“We have managed to rehabilitate over 100 boreholes since February last year," the MRCS Director of Programmes disclosed.

Chief Preventive Officer at the Mangochi District Health Office, Dr. Kondwani Mamba, said that the district is in the process of developing a plan with all stakeholders that are implementing various cholera interventions in the district.

Mamba added that the plan is important to the district because it will guide the authorities and its partners on cholera prevention and control.

MRCS in partnership with the Mangochi DHO is implementing various cholera interventions in Traditional Authority Luranga, Makanjira, and Mponda with Danish Red Cross, UNICEF and GIZ financial support.

By Margret Praise Kalua

Nkhata Bay, August 22, Mana: District Nutrition Officer for Nkhata Bay, Madalo Mohammad has hailed Feed the Children for equipping people with knowledge and skills in sanitation and hygiene.

Speaking on Monday during Feed the Children’s orientation meeting on its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program, Mohammad said the program was essential to Nkhata Bay as it was one of the hotspots for cholera which recently hit the country.

She said the WASH program will complement the council’s efforts in curbing diseases that are caused by poor hygiene and sanitation practices.

“We want to reach out to many people in the communities with WASH messages so that they have knowledge on what to do to prevent cases of cholera and other waterborne diseases in future,” she said.

Cluster Coordinator for Feed the Children, Chimwemwe Nyasulu said improved water hygiene and sanitation is key to ensuring a healthy population.

He said Feed the Children has trained district nutrition coordination committee (DNCC) members to advocate for increased positive behavior change toward WASH practices.

By Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe, August 21, MANA: United Nation Childrens Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with the United States of America and Germany government on Monday donated assorted medical equipment to the Ministry of Health.

Speaking in Lilongwe, during the handover ceremony, UNICEF Representative to Malawi, Shadrack Omol said Malawi has for years faced numerous health challenges from significant gaps in the work force due to frequent shortages in essential medical supplies.

“As UNICEF we want to reach every child in the rural and remote areas because when health emergencies like Covid-19 or outbreaks such as Cholera arise it is difficult for Health Surveillance Assistant (HSA) to work due to shortages of medical equipment,

"As such we have donated community health, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) and Screening and Immunization supplies,” he said.

Receiving the donation Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda acknowledged UNICEF for the kind gesture adding that the donation has come in good time as the ministry is conducting polio and cholera campaigns.

“We appreciate for the support that UNICEF has done by donating equipment worth 14 million USD, as Ministry of health we will make sure that all the donation has worked for the intended purpose in the community, so that we can improve our health sector”, She said,

The donation includes three refrigerated vans, 280 vaccine refrigerators,100 cold boxes,6000 vaccine carriers, 100,000 water packs, 700 push bicycles, 11,000 Gumboots, 11,000 Back packs, 11,000 Rain courts, 350 Phone tablets, 12,300 Glucometers and 12,300 BP machines.

By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, August 23, mana: M’mbelwa District Council nutrition officer Gift Simukonda has said fighting malnutrition and stunted growth in children is a shared responsibility that requires the collaborative role of both state and non-state actors for the fight to be won in the district.

Simukonda was speaking on Tuesday in Mzimba when welcoming International Support and Partnership for Health (ISAPH) into the district.

The Organisation plans to roll out a project in 2024 to fight malnutrition and stunted cases in areas of Traditional Authorities Chindi, Mzikububola, Khosolo and Mabilabo.

The project comes amid high cases of malnutrition and stunted growth in the district which are at 38 percentage against the national prevalence rate of 35.

‘‘Fighting cases of malnutrition and stunted growth should be the role of both NGOs and government hence we would like to take this opportunity to welcome ISAPH into the district. We hope their work in the communities will benefit the district in terms of reducing cases of stunted and malnutrition growth which are at 39 percent,’’ Simukonda said.

He said M’mbelwa district council in collaboration with other partners have intensified efforts aimed at reducing the cases hence asked ISAPH to roll out the project so that they help in fighting stunted growth.

ISAPH Senior Field Coordinator John Banda said the new three year project that is to be implemented from 2024 in some areas of Mzimba   follow the success story of their other project in Manyamula in Mzimba South which has helped reduce stunted growth in children under two years from 37 percent in 2015-2016 to 25.0 percent in 2021.

‘‘We want to replicate the same success story in other areas of Mzimba. Our mission is to help reduce stunted growth in pregnant women, mothers and children under five, especially under two years,’’ said Banda.

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By Sarah Munthali

Lilongwe, August 22, MANA: The Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda has said the adverse effects of climate change are increasingly impacting, not only the environment but also the health and well-being of communities.

She made the remarks in Lilongwe Tuesday, when she opened a regional workshop on health for delegates from Africa, Europe and organisations dealing with climate change and health aimed at uniting diverse African stakeholders to drive policy changes and build resilient health systems.

“As we all know; climate change is no longer a distant threat. It is a reality that we are seeing and feeling every day. It is no longer something that we just talk about. Climate change, at the global level, is now regarded to be the greatest threat to human health. The threat and impact of climate change is more pronounced in developing countries like Malawi, which are not resilient to climate shocks such as extreme weather events and disasters.

“As Africa we need to have a common position, you are aware that there is COP28 (climate change conference) which will be held in Dubai, December this year, the conference is a rare opportunity for us to have discussions because we get so many countries and partners gathered at one place,” she said.

Chiponda said that African countries should unite if the issue of climate change impacts on health is to be addressed.

She said for first time there will be a day dedicated to health, saying the health sector in all member states have experienced crises, health emergencies such as draughts and waterborne diseases, among others due to the impact of climate change.

“Let us have a common position as Africa, all of you are pushing the 2063 agenda which is being championed by African Union and all of us are striving that by 2063 we need to move from where we are and be more productive and more resilient,” the Minister said.

She then called for financial partners to provide additional funding opportunities for sustaining climate and health research and actions in the African Region.

Amref Health Africa Group Director for Partnership and External Affairs, Desta Lake said as Amref Health Africa they are committed in addressing the impacts of climate change on health.

“Amref Health Africa has taken a significant interest and commitment in ensuring that health is at the Centre of every climate conversation, here in Malawi you have seen the effects of climate change on the health, communities, women and children.

“With partners such as; PACJA, World Health Organization, Ministries of Health and the government officials we are committed to work with Africa to negotiate and come up with a common position in addressing the impacts of climate change on health,” Lakew said.

She added that, as an organization, they also ensure that they assist in presenting the Africa’s common position on the issue of mitigating the impact of climate change on health to forums that will help to bring solutions to challenges affecting the Africa’s health sector due to climate change.

“We will take this common position with us to Botswana WHO meeting and work with Africa Health leaders’ policy forum to brief our Ministers of Health to the Africa Climate summit in Kenya, take it to the UN General Assembly’s climate summit and COP28.

A representative of the World Health Organization in Malawi, Ishmael Nyasulu said the organization is committed to supporting countries towards building climate resilient and carbon health systems by supporting health community engagement in the climate change forums.

The three-day regional workshop is funded by the WellCome Trust in partnership with the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), Amref Health Africa and African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) in partnership with the Government of Malawi and World Health Organization in Lilongwe, Malawi.

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By Andrew Phiri

Thyolo, August 19, Mana: Thyolo District Health Office says the district is registering high birth rate, a development which is exerting more pressure on health related resources.

Harry Milala, a statistician from the department of Health Management Information System at the hospital told Malawi News Agency on Friday that the Crude Birth Rate (CBR) in the district has heavily increased from the year 2020 to 2022.

CBR is the annual number of live births per 1,000 populations.

Milala said the CBR in Thyolo has increased from 17,477 to 21,813 live births representing 28 and 33 percent respectively.

He attributed low uptake of family planning services by people in the district as a major factor that has contributed to such trend.

“We should expect more births in the next five years here in Thyolo because limited people of child bearing age are accessing family planning services.

“We are asking government to intervene on the matter by increasing the numbers of health centres and health workers so that the growing population in the district should match health services provision,” he said.

Commenting on the matter, Thyolo District Family Planning Coordinator, Regina Mponya said youths particularly in the child bearing age group of 20 to 24 are contributing to high birth rate.

She said youths in the district think that contraceptives are for married people only and this result into early unplanned pregnancies.

“We have a big problem in motivating these young ones to adopt family planning services because they have myths and misconceptions that when they start accessing contraceptives before getting married, they will not have children in future,” she said.

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By Abubakar Kanjoka

Kasungu, August 14, Mana: Education authorities in Kasungu have expressed worry over inadequate sanitation facilities in primary schools, saying the situation is putting the pupils’ lives at risk.

Making his contribution on Tuesday during a training session for primary school teachers and mother groups on behavioural change communication, Boma Zone Primary Education Advisor (PEA), Willy Fula, said many primary schools have inadequate toilets to cater for the growing numbers of learners.

Fula said: “Most of the primary schools in the zone have over 2 000 pupils with only four toilets or so; meaning two for girls and two for boys.

“This challenge compromises efforts to make the teaching and learning environment safe for both teachers and learners.”

On her part, mother group member, Agnes Msewu, said lack of sanitary facilities in schools is a heck on girl child education as most girls opt to stay home when they are menstruating.

“Primary schools have inadequate or no sanitary facilities to give girls freedom of the mind when they are menstruating. This issue is common knowledge for us all.

“But we must be aware that if girls stay at home during such times, they miss lessons which affect their performance in class,” she said.

Msewu then urged fellow mother group members to encourage pupils on following personal hygiene, saying some learners go to school without bathing.

Deputy Director for Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Ronaldo Phiri who was the lead facilitator, challenged teachers that they are key agents of social change as they mostly spend time with the learners.

The engagement was part of the Kulumikiza Project, an initiative of the multi-ministry National Social Mobilisation Committee funded by United Nations Children’s Fund.

The project seeks to address issues relating to gender-based violence, child rights, disease prevention, and other related social issues through social behavioural communication.

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By Slyvester Kumwenda

Dowa, August 16, Mana: Chairperson for the Parliamentary Committee on Health, HIV and AIDS, and Nutrition, Dr Matthews Ngwale has stressed the need for the country to pay much attention to what he described as alarming deaths of women due to unsafe abortions.

He made the remarks Monday in Dowa during an inception meeting of a new project called Breaking the Barriers: An Advocacy for Social Justice.

The project seeks to empower women and girls to seek safe abortion services when faced with unwanted and unplanned pregnancies.

“The number of women dying monthly in some districts due to unsafe-abortion-related cases is very alarming. Some districts record up to 30 deaths monthly.

“Women continue to face complications, losing their ability to conceive again. This affects them socially for the rest of their lives. As a nation, we cannot continue to sit down and allow this to go on. That is why we need to do something about this,” he said.

Ngwale further said one of the ways to avert this is to let Parliament table an Abortion Bill, saying legalising abortion is not a guarantee to abortion, but only provides a choice to a woman depending on circumstances.

He, however, said some parliamentarians cannot advocate for this law because they are afraid of religious leaders in their areas.

“But if you investigate, you will find that some of the religious leaders are also involved in making women pregnant and abandoning them, so everyone is involved.

“However, we do not need to look at who is wrong or right, but to look at the problem. The problem is that women are having unwanted pregnancies every day and resort to unsafe abortions,” Ngwale said.

According to Ngwale, if the law is changed, the trained nurses, clinicians and doctors in hospitals can safely make the operations and save lives.

Breaking the Barriers Project is being financed by Amplify Change.

It is being implemented by a consortium of Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre (MHRRC), Sexual and Reproductive Health Alliance (SRHR), Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHHR), and Centre for Solution Journalism (CSJ).

In her remarks, MHRRC Executive Director and Chairperson of Coalition for Prevention of Unsafe Abortions (COPUA), Emma Kaliya said the continued calls for an Abortion Bill is a call to protect women.

She said since the motion was rejected in parliament about two years ago, there is need to raise awareness on grass-root level.

“People can then encourage their Members of Parliament who have always said that they are afraid of their people to table the bill.

“The hope is to come to an understanding that the issue we are advancing for is not for us, but there is a real issue that needs to be addressed,” she said.

Senior Chief Kayembe said many women continue to die due to unsafe abortion related issues which are usually done in secret.

“Some even go to traditional healers for this, and you will only learn of it during the funeral, but you will find out that the man responsible for the pregnancy ran away.

“That is why this issue needs to be openly discussed, then raise awareness on grass-root level. Through Parliament, we should also look again at our laws governing abortion,” she said.