MANAonline
MACRO applauded for promoting HIV self-testing
By Regina Chalira
Mzuzu, June 27, Mana: HIV Testing Coordinator for Mzimba North District Health Office, Mlotha Mbughi, has commended Malawi AIDS Counselling and Resource Organization (MACRO) for promoting HIV self-testing services.
Mbughi was commenting on a progress report of Intensifying Malawi’s Priority and Key Population Access to Community HIV and AIDS Testing and Treatment (IMPACT) and Community Based HIV Testing (CBHTS) Project which is being implemented in Mzuzu.
He said providing HIV self-test is important because most people are still scared to get HIV testing at a health facility and self-testing would be an alternative in promoting HIV testing services.
"Studies show that most people are confident in getting the HIV test at a facility after conducting self-test and this helps those that have tested positive to start treatment with acceptance,” said Mbughi.
Presenting the report to members of Mzuzu City Executive Committee, HIV Diagnosist Assistant Supervisor of the project, Richard Kabaghe, said the organization surpassed its quarterly targeted tests.
“We managed to test about 1,131 people against a target of 830 within communities surrounding Mzuzu Health Centre, St Johns Mission Hospital and Ekwendeni Mission Hospital.
“We use different testing modalities such as index testing and self-testing, among other approaches, in our targeted communities,” said Kawale.
MACRO offers static and outreach services to reduce HIV transmission and its impact.
Physical activity crucial for well-being
By Lisa Lamya
Blantyre, June 27, Mana: News that 1.8 billion people worldwide are at risk of suffering from disease due to their failure to do enough physical activities has concerned local health experts and sports bodies alike.
The news has come from the World Health Organization (WHO) which has released study results showing that nearly 31 percent of adults worldwide do not meet recommended levels of physical activities.
Speaking on the sidelines of releasing the results, WHO Director General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated the need to renew commitments to increasing levels of physical activities and prioritizing bold action including strengthened policies and increased funding to reverse this worrying trend.
“The new findings highlight a lost opportunity to reduce cancer and heart disease and improve mental health and well-being through increased physical activity,” he said.
Head of WHO Unit for Physical Activity, Dr. Fiona Bull said the promotion of physical activity goes beyond promoting individual lifestyle choice.
He added that this would require a society’s approach in creating environments that should make it easier and safer for everyone to be active to reap many health benefits of regular physical activities.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Malawi National Sports Council (MNSC). Edgar Ntulumbwa told Malawi News Agency (Mana) Thursday in Blantyre that Malawian adults need to change their perception towards physical activities saying it was not only meant for the youthful population.
“The problem is that sporting or physical activities are labelled as youth activities but everyone needs to take responsibility because the benefits of physical activity are numerous,” he noted.
Ntulumbwa pointed out the relationship between physical activities and mental well-being, saying it prevents suicide cases apart from providing a platform for people to confide in others.
“People are going through a lot and most of them do not know who to share their thoughts with. When doing physical activities one can meet others who may also be facing similar problems and this can lessen their burden,’ he remarked.
Health Expert, Maziko Matemba said findings of the study are worrisome and countries need to ensure that they promote physical activities among their people.
He called on Companies, Ministries, Departments and Government Agencies to ensure they incorporate wellness programmes in their activities saying this would assist their employees who work eight hours or more to find time to improve their well-being.
“It is critical for companies to ensure they prioritize their employee’s health by providing them with spaces that help them do physical activity that is one way of preventing diseases that come due to lack of physical exercises,” Matemba noted.
Mangochi council launches MWASIP
By Bishop Witmos & Shaffie Bakali
Mangochi, June 26, Mana: Mangochi District Council Chairperson, Hassan Chikuta, has urged traditional leaders and their subordinates in the district to embrace the patronage of catchment conservation and management to successfully restore degraded land as well as prevent perennial dry spells.
Chikuta made the call during the launch of Lowe Lingamasa Catchment Management of Traditional Authority (TA) Chowe in the district on Wednesday, under the Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project (MWASIP).
He said Lower Lingamasa Catchment is one of the areas in Mangochi that was heavily affected by dry spells this year due to land degradation as a result of wanton cutting down of trees.
“The launch of MWASIP is aimed at boosting agricultural capacity of rural farmers. I am urging communities in Lower Lingamasa to take catchment conservation and management seriously in order to address effects of climate change,” Chikuta said.
Director of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources for Mangochi District Council, Nditani Maluwa, said in a bid to have a successful project, the council has outlined various activities as well as collaborative partnership with key players in natural resource management.
“In this campaign, we will empower 18,000 farmers with effective messages pertaining to sustainable land management practices, conduct door-to-door campaigns as well as meetings with traditional and other community opinion leaders,” said Maluwa.
Maluwa said the council intends to restore over 7,000 hectares of degraded land across the district considering that the district has been losing almost 800 hectares yearly for the past five years due to poor farming practices, soil erosion and floods.
A representative of Senior Chief Chowe, Daudi Saudi hailed MWASIP, observing that for the past month it has been operating in the area, the intervention has since empowered communities with climate smart agriculture methodologies.
Mangochi District Council launched the initiative under the theme: “Integrated Catchment Conservation and Management for Enhanced Climate Resilience and Improved Livelihoods.”
TNM civil servants bundles to ease civil service operations
By Priscilla Phiri & Hastings Yobe
Lilongwe, June 27, Mana: Corporate Affairs Manager for Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM), Limbani Nsapato, says the newly introduced civil servants’ bundles will ease communication and bring efficiency within the civil service management of operations.
In an interview on Thursday, Nsapato said the civil servants bundle falls under the Yathu bundle category which incorporates data, SMS and voice bundles that are affordable to help operations of the civil servants.
“This bundle will only be accessed by civil servants recognized by the Malawi government. We have engaged the civil servants’ data base which we will be using for their registration and enrollment for them to be able to buy the bundles,” he said.
He highlighted that the bundle is now in operation and it is a permanent initiative that will be serviced by its agents across the country.
“Subscription is done by the civil servants registering with TNM and once registered they will be able to buy the bundles at their own discretion when need arises,” stated Nsapato.
According to a comment made on social media, one of the civil servants said the company’s initiative is a move in the right direction saying it will help them minimize excessive spending on data bundles.
“To me this is a good move because if you can calculate the amount of money we spend every month on internet and voice bundles you will see that it is very huge and buying in advance will drastically reduce weekly bundle purchases,” said the comment.
On the other hand, some civil servants have expressed concern that the bundles are still inaccessible despite its enrollment upon dialing *656# or through the TNM App.
The TNM Yathu bundles for civil servants will be offered through a partnership between TNM and the government of Malawi with the subscription fees deducted directly from the civil servant’s salary.
MHEN trains mother care groups on immunisation
By Alex Banda Kachingwe
Blantyre, June 27, Mana: Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) has engaged mother care groups from Machinjiri in Blantyre, on a special training to remind the group on their role of raising awareness on the importance of vaccinating under five children against pneumonia, typhoid and other children diseases.
MHEN Administrative Assistant, Mphatso Kamangira, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Wednesday that mother care group trainings were done under the banner ‘Reaching Every Child’ to protect children from diseases that can be prevented with vaccine.
“The main reason for the campaign is to make sure every child has been reached and vaccinated. We are trying to improve immunization coverage of which we are almost getting closer to reach most of the children,” said Kamangira.
He added that the involvement of mother care groups was a sure way of attaining a big coverage of the immunization programme.
Health Surveillance Assistant for South Lunzu Health Centre, Felix Kankhono, said the training was a refresher after mother care group training in 2019.
He expressed hope that the mother care group will further raise awareness on the importance of vaccinating under five children against diseases.
South Lunzu mother care group chairperson, Esimy Kadzuwa, thanked MHEN for the training, saying it will help them raise awareness in the community on the importance of vaccine.
She, therefore, appealed to members of the mother care group to join hands in intensifying awareness to protect under five children from diseases that can be prevented by vaccine.
MHEN is implementing the campaign in nine districts of Lilongwe, Mchinji, Ntchisi, Dowa, Kasungu, Mzimba South, Mzimba North, Chitipa and Blantyre with financial support from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi).
European Union and German Cooperation Donate Vehicles to Malawi’s Social Cash Transfer
By Priscilla Phiri
Lilongwe, June 27, Mana: European Union together with the German Cooperation through KfW, has donated six vehicles valued at EUR 290,000 (K554,000,000) to the Ministry of Gender, Community Development, and Social Welfare to boost its Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) locally known as ‘Mtukula Pakhomo’ activities in Mulanje, Phalombe, Mzimba and Mchinji districts.
The donation was made on Thursday, June 27, at a handover ceremony which took place at the Ministry's headquarters in Lilongwe.
Speaking at the ceremony, the EU ambassador to Malawi Rune Skinnebach expressed his excitement for the handover saying the gesture demonstrates the strong partnership between EU, German and the Malawi government.
"These vehicles are another token of the strong bonds of partnership and cooperation between Team Europe and the Government of Malawi," he said.
Skinnebach also expressed optimism about the impact the vehicles will have on the SCTP's success and the lives they will touch.
“The EU is proud to build a more inclusive, equitable and resilient society and I look forward to witnessing the positive impact that these vehicles will have on the programme,” he said.
Receiving the vehicles on behalf of the Ministry, the Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza, expressed gratitude for the unwavering support and partnership from the EU and the German KfW.
She said, "The vehicles we are receiving today are more than just a means of transport; they symbolise hope, accessibility, and a brighter future for countless families who depend on our social cash transfer programme for their survival and dignity."
The SCTP provides essential relief to vulnerable families, enabling them to meet basic food consumption needs through cash support. The continuous cooperation between the EU, the Germany government (through KFW), and Malawi has been instrumental in driving positive change in various communities.
The Ministry extends heartfelt thanks to the EU and the Federal Government of Germany for their generous donation, which will significantly enhance the SCTP's implementation.
Also present at the event was the German Ambassador to Malawi, Ute König among other delegates.
Digital Mw project improving digital skills
By Kondwani Banda
Blantyre, June 27, MANA: Secretary for Information and Digitalisation, Baldwin Chiyamwaka says the programmes in the Digital Malawi Project and its successor, the Digital Malawi Acceleration Project are critical in improving the lives of Malawians by ensuring that they acquire the required digital skills.
Speaking during a visit to the Private Public Partnership Commission, Chiyamwaka said the project components will transform the way of living for Malawians, underscoring the importance of digital transformation on the country's economy.
He stated that the projects align with the Malawi 2063 Agenda and other broader national initiatives.
"Our programmes in the ministry, including this one being funded by the World Bank, are compliant with the Malawi 2063 vision, they are not designed outside that framework," he disclosed.
These are milestones in the projects leading to the attainment of Malawi 2063 Vision," he added.
Project Manager of Digital Malawi Project, Chimwemwe Matemba said the project scope and activities to elevate the status of the digital transformation are crucial in addressing the digital gap in Malawi.
He disclosed that the first phase of the project has achieved its target and exceeded the targets in other areas.
He added that the Digital Malawi Acceleration Project will close the gaps left by the first phase.
"Digital Malawi is actually the project that started to lay the foundation for digitalization for the country, despite this project being successful; there is need for further investment in the ICT space. This is where the Digital Malawi Acceleration Project comes in," he said.
The Digital Malawi Project, a Malawi Government initiative implemented through the Ministry of Information and Digitalisation with World Bank support, consists of two phases, the first phase is focused on digital ecosystems, connectivity, and platforms, while the second phase, the Digital Malawi Acceleration Project, aims to leverage improved connectivity and public digital service delivery capacity to accelerate digital services growth across sectors.
Some of the project's achievements include the passage of the Data Protection Act through ICT regulation, strategy, and policy development,
training and incubation of over 19,000 beneficiaries in digital skills development and innovation, support for tech-hubs with grants, with 12 tech-hubs benefiting, and connectivity of 500 public institutions, with a target of 530 by the end of the Phase 1.
Pigeon pea market still open in India
By Tione Andsen
Lilongwe, June 26, Mana: Government has said the exportation offer for 50,000 metric tonnes for Pigeon peas to India was still on and has been extend to 2025.
Director of Trade in Goods at Ministry of Trade and Industry. Charity Musonzo disclosed this Wednesday in Lilongwe during a press briefing on the implementation of National Single Window project at the Ministry which is being implemented by Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project (SATCP) with funding from World Bank as part of the Nacala Corridor development.
She said the 2018 Pigeon peas offer was still binding and the only set back was that the country was failing to supply the required quantities.
“We have been export Pigeon peas to India but the amounts are not desirable for the country and we need to encourage farmers to venture into massive production of the crop,” Musonzo added.
The Director said increase production of Pigeon peas would help the country to earn forex which could help to boast the country’s foreign reserves.
She said the Ministry of Trade was worried the offer has been in play for the past six years, most traders and farmers are not committing themselves to exporting the commodity.
“We are hoping this year we will have increased volumes of Pigeon peas products which can satisfy the demand so the international markets,” Musonzo added.
She pointed out 50,000 metric tonnes export threshold still stand and the Indian government is more willing to even extended the offer beyond 2025,
The Director appealed to traders and farmers to take up the opportunity and increase Pigeon peas production in the country.
A Pigeon pea trader, Wilson Limbanga suggested that the Ministry should engage Mega farm on a special initiative in order to increase production of the crop.
He said the low production of Pigeon peas in the country has come about due to poor pricing and unstable markets in which farmers’ sale at a loss.
Time management has improved at Mchinji OSBP
By Tione Andsen
Mchinji, June 26, Mana: Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has said time management in handled both passengers and cargo has improved tremendously after the establishment of One Stop Border in Mchinji.
MRA Deputy Station Manager for Mchinji One Stop Border Post (OSBP), Felix Mzilahowa disclosed thus Wednesday in Mchinji when Media houses visited the Border Post as part of Media Orientation of Sothern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project (SATCP) with funding from World Bank to stimulate trade with Nacala Corridor.
He said the previous facility was two small to handled large volumes of passengers and cargo but with the establishment of the new one has improved on time management.
Mzilahowa said in the past a passenger was taking two hours to be cleared it takes not more than an hour while cargo clearance was taking two days but now it takes two hours.
“The Border operations are going on well just because we have new facility and the processes have been simplified since the introduction OSBP. Before this new structure was built we had many hustles. We did not have enough space or car parking area and even offices we were using were too small to accommodate passengers on daily basis,” he pointed out.
Mzilahowa added that the border has seen the increase in the importation of tiles than any other border in the country due to efficiency in time management.
He said before OSBP the revenue generation was ranging from K1.1 billion in a month but now we are collecting about K 3 billon a month.
The Deputy Station Manager said smuggling of goods from Zambia into Malawi has been reduced because the facility has the provision of Police Post and are assisting in patrolling the uncharted routes
He said the presence of the Post has had an impact which has helped to increase revenue per month.
Mzilahowa noted that the installation of smart gates at the facility has helped to provide information and data on goods and vehicles passing through the border and most of it is provided to National Statistical Office (NSO).
He said the gates are helping to intercept smuggled vehicles from Zambia and South Africa.
A Business Lady from Lilongwe, Maria Joseph said the new facility has accelerated speed in clearing of their goods.
“We used to spend days for MRA to clear our goods but this a thing of the past. Previous most small scale business people were using uncharted routes to avoid delays at the border,” she recalled.
Mchinji OSPB was commissioned on December 7, 2022.
Greenbelt in maize production drive
By Gift Chiponde
Lilongwe, June 26, Mana: Secretary for Irrigation in the Ministry of Agriculture, Eng. Geoffrey Mamba has expressed satisfaction with the steps taken by the Greenbelt Authority (GBA) to maximise the country's maize production.
He made the remarks on Wednesday at Kanengo in Lilongwe during the handover ceremony of 162 metric tonnes of maize to National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA), which the Authority cultivated through their rain-fed programme at Chikwawa irrigation scheme in Salima.
He stated that the initiative aligns well with the Ministry's objective of ensuring the country has sustainable food production and is food-sufficient.
“I applaud Greenbelt Authority for listening to the Ministry call and the Minister’s directive to embark in revitalisation of the agriculture sector through the Chikwawa irrigation scheme red fed initiative and a number of irrigation schemes which the authority was implementing
Greenbelt is providing some diversified interventions to maximize production of various crops such Sugarcane, maize, rice and other produces,” Mamba said.
GBA Vice Board Chairperson, Regina Sambakunsi said that 162 metric tonnes was a significant achievement despite challenges encountered due to erratic rains.
She pointed out that GBA would continue to improve the agriculture sector through irrigation and rain-fed programmes to embrace the vision of making the country a productive and self-reliant nation.
Board Chairperson for NFRA, Dennis Kalekeni, expressed satisfaction with the initiative, which he described as a milestone in complementing the Mega farm initiative and improving the country's food security.
“There is no need for these grain reserves to be empty our mandate as NFRA is to ensure that the reserves are full of grains
We are targeting over 100,000 metric tonnes in storage to ensure that we have adequate maize in our stocks’’ he said.
Kalekeni revealed that NFRA has opened mobile markets in Kasungu, Mzimba and Chitipa while and plans are underway to open in Mzuzu to ensure that maize was plentiful and available in the country's grain reserves, an initiative which would help to reduce and eradicate hunger among households.
