By Wellington Sibale

Neno, May 9, Mana: Partners in Health (PIH), locally known as Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Malawi’s health sector by handing over a newly established High Dependency Unit (HDU) worth over K452 million to Neno District Hospital.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, PIH Executive Director, Basimenye Nhlema, said the HDU aims to reduce the number of critically ill patients referred to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre thereby improving access to critical care services in the district.

She said the HDU unit, which cost approximately K195 million for renovations and around K257 million for medical equipment, is expected to significantly enhance patient outcomes in the district.

“Previously, critically ill patients had to endure long and treacherous journeys to Blantyre, often resulting in loss of life enroute due to poor road conditions,” said Nhlema.

She highlighted the long-standing gap in Malawi’s healthcare system, where critical care services are generally available only at tertiary facilities.

“Secondary facilities like Neno have lacked adequate support. With this HDU, we aim to bridge that gap and save lives locally,” she said.

Nhlema also acknowledged financial support from the Wyss Medical Foundation and emphasized PIH’s continued investment in healthcare personnel.

She disclosed that so far, 15 nurses and four clinicians have received specialized training at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital to ensure the HDU operates effectively.

Neno District Hospital’s Director of Health Services, Dr. Enock Ndalama, hailed the development as both historic and transformative for the district’s healthcare delivery.

He thanked PIH and its partners, noting that the facility will also serve nearby districts like Mwanza.

“We are very grateful to PIH for this gesture. This marks a historic moment for healthcare in Neno. We also thank the Wyss Medical Foundation for their generous funding,” he said.

Neno District Council Chairperson, Joseph Chiphaliwali, echoed the appreciation, stressing that the facility would address the long-standing challenge of transporting critically ill patients over long distances.

“The poor state of our roads has often led to fatalities during patient transfers. With this facility, we expect a significant reduction in such cases,” he said.

The HDU is part of a broader health improvement initiative by PIH, which recently included the handover of two fully equipped ambulances and the construction of an emergency room at Zalewa Health Centre and PIH has pledged to continue working closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure sustainable healthcare improvements in the country.

By Wellington Sibale

Neno, May 9, Mana: Partners In Health (PIH) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health this week awarded scholarships to six nurses in Neno District to upgrade their qualifications in various healthcare fields with a condition that all beneficiary return to Neno upon completion of their studies to improve on human resource.

Speaking during the scholarship award ceremony, PIH Medical Director, Dr. Christopher Banda said through Takeda Grant, the scholarships are intended to equip healthcare workers with advanced knowledge and skills required in delivering high-quality care, aligned with Malawi Vision 2063 enabler 5, which focuses on human capital development.

“The programme was developed in response to staffing gaps and the need for enhanced competencies among healthcare providers in Neno,” he added.

He said PIH received 50 applications, shortlisted 14 and selected six candidates based on criteria including proven nursing experience, qualifications and a commitment to serve in Neno for at least two years.

Banda added that the scholarships will support three nurses pursuing master’s degrees and three others pursuing bachelor’s degrees with fields of study including; Midwifery, Community Health Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, Mental Health Nursing and Nursing and Midwifery.

He said the programme will run until 2027, with a condition that all beneficiaries return to Neno upon completion of their studies, adding that PIH will provide tuition, accommodation, and food allowances throughout the training period.

“Even beyond 2027, we are committed to mobilise additional resources to continue supporting healthcare workers.

“We expect awardees to complete their studies on time and return to serve their communities with enhanced skills,” added Banda.

Neno District Medical Officer Dr. Albert Chafunya applauded the initiative, describing it as a major boost to the district's healthcare delivery.

“This programme targets both general nurses and specialists, which will significantly improve the quality of healthcare in Neno and the country,” he added.

One of the recipients, Pilirani Iddih, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying; “This scholarship is life-changing as it allows us to pursue further education that was previously out of reach. We are committed to returning and serving the people of Neno,” he stated.

By Ruth Kumwenda

Blantyre, May 9, Mana:  In a bid to enhance communication and promote a culture of openness in schools, Mitsidi Police Unit on Thursday donated a complaints and suggestions box to Chigwaja Primary School at Traditional Authority Kuntaja Blantyre, to give learners opportunity to freely express their concerns and suggestion.

Community Policing Coordinator for Mitsidi Police Unit, Sergeant Ausborne Moses said the complaints and suggestions box with support from UNICEF will provide opportunity to learners especially girls to voice out their concerns regarding gender-based violence.

“We want to help learners to speak out about any form of violence they encounter at home, in school, or elsewhere. We have noticed that many learners suffer in silence when abused by relatives or guardians such as stepfathers or uncles.

“This silence affects learners performance as well as their wellbeing,” Moses added and emphasized the need for learners to report any form of abuse whether at home, from teachers or fellow students.

He said that concerns should be reported in writing and placed in the suggestions box. The Community Policing Coordinator assured the learners that only police officers would open the box and address the concerns.

Moses further warned learners against theft, vandalism, cybercrimes, and any involvement in mob justice, observing that some criminals entice minors to commit crimes.

Chigwaja School Deputy Headteacher, Pauline Bisoni commended the police for introducing the initiative, describing it as timely and essential.

She also thanked the police for informing learners on how and where to report gender based violence.

“We thank Mitsidi Police Unit for introducing the complaints and suggestions box, learners will benefit a lot from the initiative. Many learners experience violence at their homes but don't know where to report it,

“This box will help them report freely without fear and this will help to create a conducive learning environment,” Bisoni added and urged the police to roll out the initiative to other schools.

Angella Banda, a Standard 7 learner at Chigwaja School welcomed the initiative saying it will help her and other learners to report sensitive issues without fear.

Learners further expressed optimism that the complaints and suggestions box will help stakeholders to find possible solutions to home and school based violence and other forms of abuse elsewhere. 

By Yanjanani Mendulo

Chiradzulu, May 9, Mana: The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA), on Thursday,  distributed 1,800 50kg bags of maize to vulnerable beneficiaries in Lupanga Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Likoswe, in Chiradzulu.

The distribution exercise, which took place at Chisombezi Admarc aimed to provide crucial food assistance to households facing food insecurity in the area.

Disaster Risk Management Officer for Chiradzulu District Council, Patrick Mulinga said the initiative is part of the government's ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of crop failure and economic hardship on vulnerable populations across the country.

"The government is committed to ensure that no Malawian goes to bed hungry. This maize distribution in Lupanga Village is a testament to that commitment because this is their third time to receive this help and we will continue to work tirelessly to reach all those in need," said Mulinga.

Chairperson for Lupanga Area Civil Protection Committee, Doris Matamanda warned the beneficiaries not to sell the maize but to use as it is intended.

"The bags have been distributed to two groups of people; the first group is the ones who were receiving Ntukula pakhomo money and the second group are the local people from the village," added Matamanda.

One of the beneficiaries from the village, Eliza Matope, expressed gratitude for the timely assistance.

 "We are very thankful for this maize. It will help us feed our families during this difficult time," she said.

By Monica Banda

Mchinji, Thursday 9, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson, Annabel Mtalimanja, has urged traditional leaders to disseminate messages concerning voter verification exercises to their communities and maintain peace and stability during the time of elections.

Mtalimanja made the remarks on Thursday during a meeting with different stakeholders at Pinda Primary School in Traditional Authority (TA) Pinda in Mchinji.

"It is imperative for registered voters to come forward and verify their records and to make them aware of the coming activity. They can also use the live SMS platform to verify their records which started on May 5 and will continue until the poling day this year," Mtalimanja said.

TA Pinda encouraged his fellow leaders and all stakeholders to promote peace and avoid favouring political leaders in their communities.

" As local leaders, we should avoid favouring particular candidates who are participating in the coming elections and we must disseminate true news. My fellow chiefs make sure that you take the message that you got here to your community members to ensure that everyone has verified his or her voting history as a valid voter," Pinda said.

He also urged people to feel free to go and ask MEC officials if they do not understand what MEC said to prevent people from spreading news that can lead to chaos in communities.

Voter inspection and verification exercises will be conducted in three phases, each of which will last three days.

Phase one will start from May 13 to 15, 2025 while phase two will start from May 21 to 23, 2025, and the final phase will start from May 29 to 31, 2025.

By Alice Ndunya and Doricah Mkwapatira

Machinga, May 9, Mana: A non-governmental organization, Child Care through Malawi Children project, provided books and pens on top of 50 kilograms bags of relief maize to learners from targeted vulnerable households in Machinga District in an effort to address educational disparities among needy learners.

Apart from maize, Child Care distributed ten note books and two pens each to 32 learners from Liwonde and Naungu primary schools on Thursday.

Rebecca Thomas, a standard 5 learner at Liwonde Primary School hailed Child Care for providing educational materials and relief maize in the wake of food scarcity.

“My parents could not afford to buy me writing materials. I could only use three exercise books against nine subjects. This was challenging but I am glad that I am equal to my classmates that have adequate materials,” she added.

A parent, Malita Andiochi from Ntonda Village, Traditional Authority Sitola appreciated the support saying it will motivate her child to concentrate on education.

“My child is a hard worker and bright but lacks writing materials. This pulls him down. Scarcity of food at home is another challenge, this results into prolonged absenteeism,.

“The donated items will definitely help him attend classes each and every school day. I believe good health, leads to a healthy mind,” she added while commending Child Care for responding to plight of most needy learners.

Naungu School Head teacher, Watson Mmanga, lauds the organization's gesture, saying their donation was a timely intervention.

He added that the support will motivate learners to work hard in class, observing that financial challenges at household level affect child education

“Financial constraints triggers absenteeism and drop outs. Such donation is a sigh of relief and hope for learners and I am sure this will motivate them to remain in school,” the school head teacher added.

Team leader for Malawi Children project, Victor Julius said Child Care was obliged to support the needy learners in a bid to promote child education.

“Our primary focus is child protection against issues that hinder academic success, both in schools and at home. By providing the educational support, we aim to promote child education outcomes in Malawi, ultimately empowering children to thrive,

“To ensure that our goals are met, child protection workers conduct regular follow ups at households to monitor effective use of resources that we provide,” he added.

Machinga District Commissioner, Rodrick Mateauma, also applauded the organization for providing educational materials and food to needy learners, saying this will ease school related challenges among learners.

“I know these learners come from marginalized households that only rely on farming. With unfavourable weather in the district, most households did not harvest enough food and this brought a lot of challenges,

“The items will help to ease some of the problems," he said and urged other non-governmental organizations to collaborate with Machinga District council to champion  quality and inclusive education for children from marginalized households.

The organization implements child focus project in various districts in the country including, Zomba and Chiradzulu with financial support from the Catholic Church.

In Machinga, the organization provides educational support to 60 learners in five primary schools with assistance worthy USD 20,000 per school term.

By Santos Zefania

Lilongwe 8 May, Mana:  National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) has called for peaceful co-existence among Malawians, and the organization has urged all to refrain from political violence as the country is preparing for the general election slated for September 16, 2025.

NICE Programs Officer Daniel Malango’s made the call in an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Thursday, saying as a democratic society, Malawi must raise the bar in order for the country to deliver credible election results.

Malango said people must understand that peaceful co-existence is one of the principles of democracy, which needs to be respected if peace and unity are to be achieved.

“For 2025 general elections to be credible, Malawians should participate peacefully; let us all exercise our democratic right responsibly. A credible election also depends on all of us playing our part with integrity,” he said, adding that people should desist from spreading misinformation.

Similarly, Director for Center for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), Michael Kaiyatsa, hailed the existing partnership between his organization and different stakeholders, including NICE, Malawi Police Service, the District Elections Supervisory Teams, and civil society platforms, with an agenda to curb political violence.

“We recognize voter apathy as a serious challenge. That’s why our civic education includes targeted dialogues with youth, women, and marginalized communities, especially those who feel disillusioned,” explained Kaiyatsa.

He said CHRR and its partners are using relatable messages and local languages, emphasizing the power of each vote to bring about change, and that the stakeholders are also sharing success stories and practical ways in which citizens can influence governance through active participation.

“This election is not just about choosing leaders; it's about shaping Malawi’s future. We encourage voters to focus on issue-based politics, scrutinize candidates’ manifestos, and reject any form of bribery,” said Kaiyatsa in an interview.

He added: “I would also like to remind everyone that peaceful participation strengthens democracy: let us make this election a model for unity and national development.”

National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) and Center for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) are among organizations accredited by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to conduct voter education across the country in view of the 2025 general election.