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MHRC intensifies awareness on substandard and falsified medicine in Malawi
By Doricah Mkwapatira
Machinga, May 30, Mana: Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) on Thursday engaged communities at Ekhama Primary School, Traditional Authority Mchinguza in Machinga where it presented a public inquiry report on substandard and falsified (SF) medicines, and raised public awareness on SF same, while assessing medicines’ impact on patients at the expense of human rights.
The Commission’s public inquiry into SF medicines in Malawi was conducted on September, 5, 2024, at Ekhama Primary School, Nayuchi, Traditional Authority Mchinguza which was also the first area to disseminate the inquiry report on May, 29, 2025.
Commissioner, Grace Malera, presented the report as findings indicated that SF medicines were also in use in Machinga's health care system.
“The main cause of this problem is poor storage facilities in health centres and lack of knowledge from community members to identify counterfeit medicines that may put them at health risks,” she said.
Malera called upon duty bearers such as Ministry of Health, Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) and Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST), which is mandated with the effective, efficient and progressive management of medicines in line with laws, policies and regulations to meet their obligations.
She reminded the CMST that people have the right to quality health care and that there was need for the trust to fulfil its mandatory role, and to deal with SF medicines that bring misfortunes to patients.
Malera also urged community members to always seek standardised medical care, rather than seeking low standards health care services that include SF medicines in health facilities.
Deputy Director in the Ministry of Health, Department of Health Sector Inter-Governmental Coordination, Wezi Mumba acknowledged the ministry’s role in protecting and respecting people’s right to health.
“As the ministry, we agree to the findings in the report. This is a wakeup call to strengthen routine supervision in both public and private hospitals in every district in order to ensure quality service provision to save lives,” she added.
A community member at Mchinguza, Bennet Daniel Mussa, who came across a victim of SF medicines, commended MHRC for raising awareness on existence of SF medicines and its effects
“Working with youth organisations, I came across a person that suffered adverse effects due to incorrect medication, resulting in a prolonged illness for about three months,
“If we were knowledgeable enough about SF medicines like we are now, I am sure we would have likely prevented this. MHRC is doing great job in raising awareness on SF medicines,” Mussa added.
MHRC did the presentation at Ekhama School before various stakeholders that included; Association of Private Hospitals and Health Facilities, Association of Local Manufacturers of Medicines, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHES), Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), Malawi Police Service, Pharmaceutical Society of Malawi (PHASOM), Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDAA), and representatives of World Health Organization (WHO)
Tense Rife As Blantyre Derby Nears
By Austine Kananji
Lilongwe, May 30, Mana: Football game tension is increasing and rife as Malawi's Mighty Wanderers and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets football fanatics await the highly anticipated Blantyre derby scheduled for this Saturday, hoping the game will end in style.
In a special interview with the sports analyst, Kim Kamau expects the Blantyre Derby to be an exciting game as both teams will be meeting tomorrow since they are both in good performance whereby both teams have not yet lost a game since the start of the first round of the super league season, citing that the only difference is that Wanderers have only drawn one game and Bullets has played more games compared with the opponents.
Kamau further said that the recent fierce rivalry battle for Blantyre giants has not been as attractive as it should be following a single team dominance (FCB Bullets), however he has urged both teams to give their best to spice up the derby.
Currently, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets tops the TNM Super League standings with 18 points after 6 games played, while Mighty Wanderers are in second position with 13 points after 5 games played since the beginning of the first round.
In honour of the derby, both teams have agreed to honor the soccer legend late Yasin Salim Osman who played for both teams and died as the Wanderers` technical director hence, the late`s portrait will be carried onto the pitch before kickoff whereby a moment of silence will be observed at the pitch`s Centre.
Head-to-head in all competitions from 2019 to 2024 in 10 matches played, Bullets has won 2 games whilst Wanderers has won 1 match, on the other hand Bullets lost 1 game and the rivals lost 2 matches, and having 7 match draws.
Minister advises new immigration officers to be patriotic
By Pempho Nkhoma
Blantyre, May 30, Mana: Minister of Homeland Security, Ezekiel Ching’oma on Friday presided over pass out of 354 new immigration officers at Police Training School in Limbe, Blantyre, where he urged the new recruits to serve Malawi with patriotism and professionalism.
The minister said role of immigration officers was key aspect in the Malawi 2063 Vision as championed by President, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera.
Ching’oma therefore assured the new recruits of government’s commitment in providing conducive work environment and other support for quality service.
He however said government will not tolerate any form of indiscipline and lack of professionalism among immigration officer.
“You must continue to shine through your duties as you are about to embark on your new careers as immigration officers; every law abiding citizen, with whom you are going to interact, must see you as officers who embodies the values of an immigration officer, which include honor, discipline, patriotism, professionalism and commitment,” he added.
The minister reaffirmed government’s commitment in revolutionizing the way immigration services are rendered, and the importance of providing seamless services to citizens and non-citizens.
“Acquiring new skill sets and human capital through the newly enlisted immigration officers who are passing out today, it is an open secret that my ministry has always been concerned with the numerical deficit of our officers entrusted with the responsibility of managing the country’s borders,
“However, the coming in of these new officers will guarantee operational efficiency for the Department of Immigration,” he added.
Acting Director General of Malawi Immigration and Citizenship Services, Macloid Kalindang’oma, advised the graduating officers to strive for provision of highest quality.
“You have to understand that this is an honor to serve your country as an immigration officer. Let me emphasize that we will not shield any officer who will be involved in any form of malpractice,” he said, adding that the department has shortage of staff, and he requested the government to continue supporting them in recruitment of more officers.
During the ceremony, 10 best performing recruits and 10 longest serving officers were also awarded.
A total of 358 people were recruited, 4 left the training for various reasons leaving 354.
Among the 354 recruited officers who passed out, 151 are females while 203 are males.
The 2025 Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services’ Pass-out parade was celebrated under the theme; Raising the Bar of Excellence in Migration Management’.
Banana growers conference addresses challenges that farmers Face-Mumba
By Lesnat Kenan
Lilongwe, May 30, Mana: Minister of Trade and Industry, Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba has said that the Banana Growers Conference is a platform to understand the challenges that farmers and traders face in terms of production to meet the demand in our country.
He made the remarks during the opening of a one-day Banana Growers Conference at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe on Friday.
He said as a country we are not producing enough to meet the demand of our country because of banana disease that came eight years ago and climate change.
"We have not been able to produce enough to feed our country. That’s why in a week, we have a minimum of 540 ,30 tones track of banana that come into our country,200 in Blantyre,150 in Lilongwe,90 in Mzuzu, therefore we need to produce our own bananas to meet the demand in our country”, he added.
He therefore emphasized the importance of promoting inclusive partnerships between farmers, financial institutions, researchers, processors and policy makers, saying this will help to co-create sustainable banana value chain.
He also explained that the ministry wanted to restrict importation but discovered that Malawi is not producing enough and this made it not to restrict importation of bananas from other country such as Zambia which means there is no restrictions on bananas.
He therefore appealed to farmers, financial institutions and other stakeholders to invest in locally owned Small Medium Enterprises (SME).
He also expressed his gratitude to World Bank through Ministry of Agriculture for sponsoring this conference.
In his remarks, Banana Growers Representative, Frank Washoni, said the conference is crucial to farmers as it will help them to have access to certified planting materials, irrigation technologies and extension support through partnerships, which are vital for boosting productivity.
He also stressed that lack of access to finance, organized banana markets and climate change as some of the factors contributing to the low supply of bananas in the country.
The event was held under the theme "from farm to market: advancing Banana Sector Growth through Inclusion, Reform, and Collaboration".
Council members oriented on Malawi's Persons with Disability Act 2024
By Max Medson Mahara
Salima, May 29, Mana: Ministry of Gender, Community Development, and Social Welfare on Friday underscored the need to uphold and protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of persons with disabilities in Malawi, by adhering to, and implementing, the Person with Disability Act of 2024.
The Persons with Disability Act of 2024 was officially launched on April 15, 2024, replacing the Disability Act of 2012.
Speaking during a meeting to sensitize officials from Salima District Council about the Act, Chief Disability Welfare Officer from the Ministry of Gender, Community Development, and Social Welfare, Joshua Mkwehiwa, explained the rationale behind the nationwide orientation exercise.
"The Ministry was prompted to come and orient the council because both duty bearers and persons with disabilities, the key players in the Act, needed to know about the change," Mkwehiwa said.
He emphasized that the effective implementation of the Act focuses on the awareness and active participation of both groups.
"Persons with disabilities and the duty bearers are the main focus and key players if we are to say that the Act is effective," he said.
The orientation, which will take place in different districts, aims to shed light on the key provisions of the new Act and differentiate it from its 2012 predecessor.
Mkwehiwa further highlighted a key aspect of the new legislation that separates it from the 2012 Act.
"While the previous Act placed the primary responsibility for ensuring the enjoyment of rights in the hands of the Minister responsible for disability affairs, the 2024 Act decentralizes this mandate, placing it directly on duty bearers and persons with disabilities," he said.
The implementation of the new Act also saw the establishment of the Malawi Council of Disability Affairs (MACODA), which replaced the Malawi Council for the Handicapped (MACOHA).
During the orientation, Mkwehiwa spoke on the rationale behind the change, highlighting the effectiveness of the name MACODA in describing people with disabilities.
"MACOHA was discontinued to adopt a more appropriate terminology, as the word 'handicapped' was deemed unsuitable to describe persons with disabilities," said Mkwehiwa.
Vice Chairperson of the District Disability Forum in Salima, Dorothy Mhango expressed optimism that the Act will significantly address issues of discrimination.
"The formation of MACODA will enhance the process of addressing concerns pertinent to persons with disabilities. This will help us enjoy access to rights and many benefits that come with it," she said.
The orientation in Salima is part of a broader national initiative by the Ministry of Gender to disseminate information about the new Act, ensuring that it is understood and effectively implemented across all districts in Malawi.
TIKUMA project trains child case workers in Balaka
By Mary Makhiringa
Balaka, May 30, Mana: Malawi Girls Guides Association (MAGGA), under the Tilimbikitse ndi Kuteteza Ma ufulu Aana (TIKUMA) project, has trained 46 child case workers to build their capacity in child protection in Balaka.
MAGGA’s TIKUMA Project Officer, Patrick Nyerere, said on Friday that the training was meant to capacitate the case workers with knowledge and skills to identify, register, as well as refer issues that challenge child protection to relevant authorities.
“We want to ensure that each and every community has a case worker, which shall mean an increase in the fight against child discrimination and violation of their rights.
“We would like to train 293 case workers from the 62 Group Village heads that we are working with. Currently, we are just continuing with the training because last year we also trained 70 case workers,” he said.
The case workers were trained for seven days and they were drawn from six traditional authorities in the district.
MAGGA expressed hope that the trained workers will play significant role in case management on issues of child protection in the 62 areas.
“Having more well-trained case workers will help in reducing the gap that has been existing in the community as far as child protection is concerned, Case management will improve with a case worker, or more, in every group village head, as communities will be able to reach case workers who are within their reach,” Nyerere explained.
“As we are training the case workers, we are encouraging them to make sure they have meetings with the community members when they go back home. The idea is to make sure that parents are aware of the child protection referral path ways existing in their communities, because, we cannot talk of reducing child related cases if parents are left behind,” he added.
One of the participants, Mussa Sadiki, a case worker from Traditional Authority Kalembo, said the training came at the right time as a lot of children were facing numerous challenges in the communities.
“A lot of children are being denied their right to education, a lot of children are also being exploited inform of defilement, child labour. I am sure we will capacitate the community to be aware and always on the look out to report any cases of child abuse,” Sadiki added.
TIKUMA is a five-year project in Balaka and Mchinji that is financed by Save the Children, through the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), to the tune of K18. Billion on child protection and education.
The project benefits 55 schools in Mchinji and 47 schools in Balaka.
Eagles Relief, CARE Malawi disburse cash to 1,600 to improve food security
By Priscilla Mwakifuna
Chikwawa, 30 May, Mana: A total of 1,600 individuals from Traditional Authorities Masache and Ngowe in Chikwawa District have benefited from a food security initiative that is being implemented by Eagles Relief and Development Programs International, in partnership with CARE Malawi.
The food security project disbursed K92,500 to each beneficiary on Friday, to allow them access nutritious food after being heavily affected by drought.
Project Officer for Eagles Relief, Geoffrey Tamayenda said the organization provided cash support to pregnant women, lactating mothers, and the elderly to purchase food to improve their nutrition levels.
Tamayenda further explained that the cash transfer was also meant to help the beneficiaries maintain their health and well-being, particularly during the challenging drought period.
“With this financial assistance, they will be able to acquire food and remain healthy, taking into account their physical condition,” he said.
Eliya Walani, a 70-year-old beneficiary from Willy Village, expressed gratitude for the cash, stating that the support will enable him buy food to improve his wellbeing and that of this his family.
“This money will go a long way in helping me purchase food for my family,” he added.
Youths asked to increase income-generating initiatives
By Steve Chirombo
Dedza, May 30, Mana: Director of Education, Youths and Sports (DEYS), for Dedza district council, Henry Likeke, has encouraged youths in the district to be self-reliant by increasing income-generating initiatives in their communities.
He was speaking on Thursday at Traditional Authority (T/A) Kasumbu's headquarters during the Informal Vocational Skills Graduation Ceremony and the awarding of start-up materials.
Likeke asked the graduating youths to utilize all available resources for economic growth, apart from the machines received as start-up materials for their acquired skills.
"There is a tendency among some youths who are leaving this country to work in other countries, especially South Africa. That country has attained economic growth because some youths are always working tirelessly there. However, let it be noted that for our country to achieve Malawi's 2063 vision, it needs energetic individuals. Let us therefore build our Nation by diversifying our sources of income, including farming," he said.
Commenting on the development, the council’s youth officer, Twesa Mwamlima, concurred with Likeke saying the time has come for youths to work together and develop their areas.
"We appreciate Kasumbu Development Organization (Kado) for helping in taking these initiatives to transform the lives of youths. It is also very commendable to see Action Aid Malawi continuing to support community organizations," said Mwamlima.
In his remarks, Kado Executive Director, Godfrey Sandram, said since its establishment, 91 youths have been trained in various skills, including tailoring.
“Others have also learnt skills like fixing motorbikes and financial literacy skills,” said Sandram.
One of the youths who received the sewing machine, Mary David, commended Kado for the training and assured the organization that she would use it for the intended purpose.
Tongole Foundation donates desks in Nkhotakota
By Wongani Mkandawire
Nkhotakota, May 30, Mana: The Tongole Foundation on Thursday donated 75 desks, valued at K14 million, to Mwalawatongele Primary School as part of its corporate social responsibility to schools around the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve in the district.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Tongole Foundation's Country Director, Bentry Kalanga, said the organization remains committed to supporting the education sector in the country.
"The education sector is a true catalyst for the country's meaningful development and we will continue supporting it because quality education can only be achieved with such support,” said Kalanga.
Kalanga has since urged the school to ensure that the donated desks are taken care of.
He said the organization will take the initiative to other primary schools such as Chankhokwe and Chilimani in the Lozi Education Zone in the district.
Meanwhile, the Chief Education Officer of Nkhotakota District Council, Marcel Elifala, commended the foundation for the donation, saying it will greatly improve the learning environment for the learners at the institution.
Minister thanks development partners for Investing in human capital development
By Blackson Mkupatira
Chiradzulu, May 30, Mana: Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza, has commended development partners for their continued support towards human capital development in the country.
She made the remarks on Thursday at Magomero Community Development College, where 315 students graduated with diplomas and certificates in fields such as Community Development, Social Work, and Nutrition and Irrigation Operations.
Of the graduating class, 140 students were trained through various scholarship programmes, and these included 17 Early Childhood Development practitioners and 13 nutrition practitioners supported by the World Bank.
Additionally, 40 Social Work students benefited from USAID support, while 70 others were sponsored by the British Council under the VET Toolbox II Project.
Sendeza said the support from partners has improved service delivery in key social sectors across the country.
“Government recognises that human capital development is a key driver of national productivity, and we are proud to have many partners who have played a vital role by providing both financial and technical support,” she said.
Sendeza added that, without such collaboration, government would not have been able to train most of the frontline workers who are currently serving in communities in areas such as nutrition and early childhood development.
The Minister therefore encouraged the graduates to be proactive and innovative as they await employment opportunities, saying that donor resources are dwindling while the number of graduates entering the job market continues to grow each year.
British Council representative, Mabvuto Chilenje expressed pride in the graduates from Chikwawa District who completed training in Farm Tractor Operations and Irrigation Systems Management.
“Our project aims to empower youth along the Shire Valley Transformation Project area with skills that will enable contribute to national food security,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of his fellow graduates, Mwaiwao Zidana expressed gratitude to the government, development partners, families, and all those who provided support throughout their academic journey.
“We are ready to apply the skills we have acquired in our respective fields and contribute meaningfully to the realization of Malawi Vision 2063,” he said.
