MANAonline
Blantyre DHO registers 89 percent rise in child vaccine coverage
By Petro Mkandawire
Blantyre, September 12, Mana: Blantyre District Environmental Health Officer, Innocent Mvula, has expressed gratitude over Healthy Strengthening Immunization System Project saying involvement of 33 Mother Care Groups as mobilisers has contributed to improved child vaccine coverage in the district.
Mvula told Malawi News Agency (MANA) this week that vaccine coverage in under five children has greatly improved with almost 89 percent compared to years before Mother Care Groups were taken on board.
He added that the district used to register 79 percent before the Health Strengthening Immunization System Project was introduced with Malawi Equity Health Network (MEHN) as lead partner.
“Mother Care Groups are able to mobilize resources to boost immunization coverage here in Blantyre. As such, we are working with them as our link with the communities.
“Before the groups were taken in, we had a lot of challenges like; follow-up of zero-dose children and lack of community advocacy on vaccine and Immunization,” he said, adding that communities are largely participating in immunization following mother care groups’ active engagement on issues of child health.
He, therefore, encouraged communities to embrace child vaccine and immunization to promote child health and further called on stakeholders in the health sector to invest more in Mother Care Groups, saying they are key to vaccine coverage.
Vice Chairperson of Mpendekera Mother Care Group, Maria Ligawo, of Traditional Authority (TA) Lundu in Blantyre said the care group play an active role in working with health workers in providing vaccine to many children than before.
“Before our involvement in child vaccination, most children got sick very often and most women used to spend three days in hospital with sick children. Our group mobilizes families to vaccinate their under five children,” said Ligawo who expressed satisfaction with increased number of children that access vaccine in her area following intensified community mobilization.
She, however, mentioned lack of reliable mode of transportation to reach every under five child and lack of necessary tools such as vaccine storage boxes as limiting factors that needs to be addressed by health authorities and partners.
Healthy Strengthening Immunization System Project is being implemented in Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mchinji, Dowa, Ntchisi, Kasungu, Mzimba South, Mzimba North and Chitipa by MHEN through Ministry of Healthy and other partners with funding from GAVI amounting to US$ 3 million.
MHEN is an independent alliance of organizations and individuals that seeks promote equity and quality health for all in Malawi.
Usi inspires engineers to be innovative
By Bishop Witmos
Mangochi, September 12, Mana: Vice President Dr. Michael Usi has inspired engineers to recognize their vital role in driving the attainment of Malawi's 2063 Agenda, which aims at transforming the country into a middle-income economy.
Addressing engineers at their 4th annual conference in Mangochi on Thursday, Usi emphasized that the engineering profession is crucial to the country's economy, especially in driving the Malawi 2063 Vision.
He urged engineering professionals to take ownership of their responsibilities and be proactive in developing innovative solutions to address the country's infrastructure and economic challenges.
The Vice President pointed out the significance of engineers in designing and implementing projects that can stimulate economic growth, improve living standards and enhance the country's competitiveness.
"It is critical that on this journey everyone should understand their contribution towards realizing the Malawi 2063 Agenda," he said.
"You must understand your core values as well as the true meaning of goals of your organizations and let us take business unusual by coming up with innovations to give the best to the society," he added.
Usi emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnership between engineers, policymakers and other stakeholders.
However, he encouraged engineers to engage with government and private sector leaders to identify opportunities for growth and development.
"Malawi has over the years grappled with substandard infrastructure including roads which have failed to withstand the test of time. These are the issues that you should tackle with an open mind at this conference," he said.
The conference which will take place for two days has brought together professionals from various engineering disciplines across Malawi.
It is being g held under the theme: 'Evaluating the engineering profession, driving the attainment of of Malawi 2063."
In his remarks, immediate past president for the engineering association, Dr. Paul Kulemeka, while accepting challenges in the engineering profession, said the conference will help to assist the professionals to bang heads on innovative solutions that can assist to uplift the country socially and economically.
"As this year marks 20 years of the association since its establishment, we are committed to discuss issues and give constructive ideas in order to give our infrastructural development what it deserves.
"We understand challenges that the engineering profession is facing, but we believe that through collaboration we can change the situation," Kulemeka said.
Chakwera opens Osiyana Health Centre in Nsanje
By Robert Nayeja
Nsanje, September 12, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera on Thursday opened Osiyana Health Centre in the area of Senior Chief Mlolo in Nsanje District.
The hospital was constructed as a response to flooding that affected the delivery of health services at Makhanga Health Centre each rainy season.
The facility offers all health services including maternity and anti-retroviral treatment except surgical operating theatres.
Speaking in an interview, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Publicity Secretary, Dr. Jessie Kabwila said the inauguration of the facility is an indication that the MCP-led government is committed to improve health services in rural communities.
"This is the first of its kind in our history to have a leader like Dr Chakwera who puts the welfare of rural people at heart. He has mobilized resources to alleviate the burden on our colleagues who relocated following the effects of Tropical Cyclone Freddy," she added.
The health Facility has a catchment population of 16,700.
Meanwhile, President Chakwera has since completed his tour of development projects in Nsanje District.
Later in the day, he will inspect some development projects in Chikwawa before interacting with traditional leaders from the Shire Valley.
Focus on Ability short film festival goes to Lilongwe
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, September 12, Mana: Focus on Ability Society (FOAS) says will host its 8th film festival dubbed ‘Focus on Ability Short Film Festival’ at Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe on September 22, 2024.
This comes after the organization has been conducting similar festivals for the past seven years in Blantyre district.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Wednesday, FOAS Executive Director, MacDonald Nyirenda, confirmed the development saying the upcoming event will feature awards and film screening among other activities.
“We are going to award four winners; that is to say one best film, one best documentary, two best persons with ability who are people with disability.
“We will also screen some top films including a documentary by Australian High Commission and will also have performances by school children with disability from different schools and organizations in Lilongwe,” Nyirenda said.
He added that, uniquely they have also invited the St John of God professionals that will provide mental health talks and counseling during the short film festival.
FOAS adopted the short film festival in 2017 in which filmmakers from Malawi submit their short films and documentaries showcasing abilities and achievements of people with disability in Malawi.
Through online voting and judges, choice filmmakers and people with disability featured in the films win prize money ranging from US$250 (about K400,000) to US$500 (about K800,000) at national level and US$5,000 (about K8 million) at international level.
According to Nyirenda, with the festival, his organization intends to promote inclusivity in communities in the country.
“We want to achieve an inclusive society where people with disability are included in community and national development,” he said.
He urged the public to patronize the free short film festival in their large numbers and also appealed to well-wishers including government for support towards the film festival.
“We are inviting the public to reserve their seats to attend this free entry and lunch event to get inspired by the amazing abilities of people with disability,” he explained.
One of the Lilongwe based filmmakers, Philmon Kuipa, commended FOAS for deciding to host its short film festival in Lilongwe saying this will help filmmakers from central region to easily patronize the festival.
FOAS has organized the festival with support from NOVA Employment and the Australian High Commission in Harare.
Financial Inclusion project spurs growth for Mulanje farmers
By Lisa Lamya
Blantyre, September 12, Mana: At least 26,000 rural households in Mulanje have gained financial literacy and agriculture expertise from the “Strengthening Systems for Financial Inclusion in Rural Malawi project surpassing the initial 24,000 targeted households.
This was disclosed Wednesday in Mulanje when implementers of the project, Opportunity International Malawi held an end-of-project learning workshop.
OIM Country Director, Richard Chongo, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) in an interview that the project has exceeded their expectations and they are pleased with the impact made in the district.
"The project trained farmers in good agricultural practices, regenerative farming, and business diversification. Additionally, it linked them to financial service providers to ensure they could access necessary financial services," Chongo explained.
Beatrice Kholowa, a smallholder farmer, who is among the 80 percent of women that have benefited from the project shared her success story, highlighting how the project has transformed her farming practices.
"Through the project, I have learned that farming is diverse. In the past, I only planted maize, but now I have diversified to beans, and tomatoes, among others," said Kholowa.
She said she now earns at least K1.5 million annually from her farm produce, enabling her to cater for her family's needs.
Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Principal Secretary, Dr Nertha Semphere Mgala, commended the project’s impact on women and rural communities, particularly in improving financial literacy essential for agribusiness.
“The project worked with farming agents and other locally established structures, ensuring its sustainability,” Mgala noted.
Despite the challenges posed by Cyclones Freddy and Ana, the K3 billion project, funded by Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA), achieved significant results in transforming the lives of rural farmers.
The project was implemented from September 2021 to August 2024 in Mulanje, Zomba, Nkhotakota and Dedza Districts.
CYO intensifies efforts in fighting against climate change
By Wellington Sibale
Neno, September 12, Mana: Concerned Youth Organization (CYO) has ramped up its climate change mitigation efforts in Neno District by implementing a "Sustainable Futures: Empowering Youth in Green Economy and Resilient Livelihoods" project in the district.
Speaking Wednesday during a Climate Information Dissemination Open Day held at Neno Mission ground under the theme "Climate Information for All, Leaving No One Behind," CYO Executive Director, Harvey Chimaliro, emphasized the need for collective action to build the project sustainability.
He said the project is designed to promote sustainable management of natural resources, climate resilience and youth empowerment through training in green economy practices.
“We organized this open day to reach out to the communities in Neno district with information on how to conserve the environment,” Chimaliro said.
The project is aimed at empowering young people and includes activities such as beekeeping, waste recycling, solar installation training, tree nursery establishment and cooperative farming.
“By promoting green economy, we seek to foster employment growth and sustainable income through public and private investment in low-carbon initiatives, enhancing energy and resource efficiency while preventing biodiversity loss,” he said.
CYO also encourages afforestation by training communities to raise tree nurseries and providing them with the necessary resources.
Chimaliro, therefore, asked for collaborative efforts from all stakeholders in the district for the project to be a success.
"We can't do this alone. Stakeholder involvement is crucial to ensure environmental conservation and improve livelihoods," Chimaliro stated.
Neno District Council Chief Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources Officer, Upe Museko, underscored the importance of the project for Neno, a district severely affected by climate change.
"The project has not only raised awareness but also provided strategies to support environmental conservation," Museko said.
Chairperson for Neno District Council, Joseph Chiphaliwali, expressed the council's full support for the project especially as it targets youth often involved in environment damaging activities like charcoal burning.
"We are committed to backing any efforts aimed at preserving our environment," he affirmed.
Chairperson for Neno District Youth Network, Margret Maluwa, highlighted the benefits to the youth, noting that they are being trained in income-generating activities such as beekeeping, manure production and seedling raising.
"This initiative not only addresses climate challenges but also provides youths with a means to earn a living," she said.
CYO is also focusing on irrigation farming techniques and cooperative formation to ensure that climate change challenges are mitigated through sustainable agricultural practices.
The project, which is being funded by IM Swedish Development Partners for Southern Africa, began in April and is expected to run for five years.
This year, CYO received K126 million for its implementation targeting two districts of Blantyre and Neno.
Road Traffic Directorate cracks down on unlawful motorcycle operators in Zomba
By Emily M'mangisa
Zomba, September 12, Mana: Road Traffic Directorate in Zomba has embarked on confiscation exercise of motor cycles operating unlawfully in the city.
The Directorate’s Regional Manager for Eastern Region, Innocent Sulani, said Wednesday the action has been taken as a routine measure in ensuring that motorists adhere to the law.
“We are confiscating motorcycles that are not registered, operators without helmets, carrying more people than prescribed and also lacking motor bike driving license,” Sulani said and warned of serious action if found in the wrong.
Kondwani Chigamba, whose bike was confiscated on Monday, said most of motor bike operators are only employed and they do not know whether the bikes they ride are registered or not.
“The exercise is very important and may be our bosses can consider of registering the motorbikes,” he said.
President of the Motorbike and Motorcycle Association, Mike Mkumba, concurred with the Road Traffic Directorate Regional Manager, saying unlawful operators and unroadworthy motorcycles are agents of death.
He added that despite that business will be lost, lives of people are paramount.
“The honeymoon is over, officials have been engaging us for some time and it is about time for action. Apart from the economic aspect, I cannot allow people to be dying under my watch,” he said.
About 36 motorcycles were confiscated on Monday.
Well-wisher roofs Kambuwe Health Post
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, September 12, Mana: Well-wisher and philanthropist, Anthony Masamba, has supported the rehabilitation of Mchinji’s Kambuwe Health Post which provides crucial health services to women and under five children.
Masamba, on Wednesday, donated 30 iron sheets, three rolls of soft wire, five kilograms of nails and two ridges.
The materials will be used to roof structures that have been constructed at the facility.
Sub Traditional Authority (STA) Kambuwe hailed the support saying this will help the health post which has a catchment of 3,200 people to deliver its services without problems.
“This is a very important health facility supporting our women and children, who most of the time, are unable to go to Kapiri and Mkanda which are over 21 kilometres away.
“We would want it to be a full health facility which can also provide other health services to the people than the antenatal and under-five children clinic only,” said STA Kambuwe.
One of the women who gets health services from the health post, Susan Kasusu, said the facility is very important to them and the support is timely.
“We need a proper facility and what has been done by Masamba is commendable. This health post is important as we do not need to travel too far for medical help and rehabilitating it will solve many problems,” said Kasusu.
Disease Control and Surveillance Assistant (DCSA) for the area, Christon Mkhondi, said the health post has limited structures but serves many people, however, with the donation from Masamba, the facility will have more structures.
“We are heading towards rainy season and the structures here need proper roofing, so the support has come in handy,” said Mkhondi.
The facility attends to about 150 children and 50 women per day.
Commenting on the donation Masamba said he decided to do something for the people by roofing structures at the health post especially being a citizen of the area.
“Expectant women in STA Kambuwe rely on this facility to access antenatal services due to long distance to the nearest health centres. Most people have had complications and sadly others have lost their lives,” said Masamba.
According to the women they would have loved if the facility had a maternity considering the distance they travel to either Kapiri or Mkanda to deliver their babies.
Minister calls for agricultural resilience in agri-food Systems
By Leonard Masauli
Lilongwe, September 12, Mana: Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, has emphasized the need for collaboration to build resilience in agri-food systems to ensure food security in the face of increasing climatic shocks such as droughts.
Kawale expressed the sentiments during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Malawi Agricultural Productivity and Commercialization Conference (MAPCC) at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe on Wednesday.
He stated that the conference aims to foster strategic dialogue, provide evidence-based policy guidance, and support the implementation of agricultural transformation.
He highlighted the need for holistic approaches in building resilience in agri-food systems amid the challenges posed by climate change.
“Over the years, MAPCC has influenced several policy and strategic initiatives, including the development of mega and anchor farms, promoting investment for agricultural diversification and commercialization, and identifying key value chains for prioritization.
“This year’s theme resonates perfectly with our aspirations in the Malawi 2063 vision of Agri-food systems transformation. A reflection on Agri-food Systems Transformation is important as we continue to pursue agricultural productivity and commercialization goals in the context of climate change shocks,” said Kawale.
The Minister noted that the increased frequency and intensity of climate-related events, with 19 floods and seven droughts recorded over the last five decades, have worsened food insecurity and hindered the country’s efforts to sustainably transform food systems.
He referenced the Malawi Country Climate and Development Report, which indicates that if no action is taken, Malawi could experience up to a 20 percent loss in Gross Domestic product (GDP) by 2040 because of climate change.
Kawale, therefore, called upon all stakeholders in the food systems to act swiftly to ensure aspirations for raising agricultural productivity are achieved.
Chairperson of the Advisory Board at Mwapata Institute, Jacob Nyirongo, said the conference's aim is to ensure collaborative efforts in developing policies and regulatory frameworks to guide partners in achieving sustainable food systems in Malawi.
Director General of the National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr Thomas Chataghalala Munthali, commended the conference, noting its importance in strengthening resilience in agri-food systems and commercializing agriculture amid the challenges posed by natural disasters.
MEHN encourages men to participate in ensuring wider vaccine coverage
By Petro Mkandawire
Blantyre, September 11, Mana: Assistant Project Officer for Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), Helbert Chakwawa has called on men to champion child health issues to ensure wider under-five vaccine coverage.
Chakwawa appealed on Wednesday during a supervision tour of Chitsime Mother Care Group, at Traditional Authority Makata and Wambila Mother Care Group, Traditional Authority Kapeni in Blantyre, which were formed under the Healthy Strengthening Immunization System Project to improve distribution and access to quality health services.
Speaking during the tour, Chakwawa said according to African culture, women have the responsibility to take children to the hospital, saying there was a need for men to support vaccine coverage by advocating and encouraging women to bring children for vaccination.
“Gender-related barriers and gender inequality can prevent people especially men from playing active roles on issues to do with child vaccine coverage as such involvement of men is essential for successful child vaccination and immunization. Their involvement can also contribute to increased coverage considering that they are heads of families with responsibilities of all decisions including health issues,” he added.
Chakwawa therefore expressed satisfaction over mother-care groups' involvement in child health issues, observing that mother-care groups also greatly contributed to wider vaccine coverage, adding that MHEN will ensure that every child receives vaccine.
In her remarks Senior Medical Officer at the Blantyre District Health Office, Dr Gloria Mdachi expressed gratitude over MHEN’s intervention on child vaccine saying introduction of mother care group has greatly born positive impact of vaccine coverage.
She said men are ideal champions, adding that they have the potential to help in widening vaccination coverage to reach hundred per cent child immunization.
“Initially as a district we were at less than 80 per cent before MHEN came in with introduction of mother care groups to boost under five children vaccine coverage. The district has now registered 89 percent,” she said and expressed hope that the impact will be greater if they take active role in championing child vaccination.
Healthy Strengthening Immunization System Project is being implemented in Blantyre, Lilongwe, Ntchinji, Dowa, Ntchisi, Kasungu, Nzimba south, Nzimba north and Chitipa by MHEN through the Ministry of Health with funding from GAVI amounting to 3 Million US dollars.
The project involves 33 mother care groups in Blantyre.
