MANAonline
Thyolo communities excited over health posts
By Yamikani Yapuwa
Thyolo, February 25, Mana: People from Mikate and Namatuni villages in Thyolo district have expressed hope that construction of health posts in their areas will go a long way in addressing challenges they face to access medical services.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Friday, Village Head Mikate said the construction of Mikate Health Post will bring access to medical services closer to people thereby promoting medical care seeking culture.
“We do not have any health Centre near us as such people walk all the way to Khonjeni to seek medical care.
“This resulted into many to deteriorate with sickness and in some cases others dying in their homes as they could not afford to walk such a long distance or pay transport fare to Khonjeni.
“Further, we have had cases of women giving birth at home while others were giving birth in tea estates while on their way to Khonjeni putting both mother and baby’s lives at risk,” said Village Head Mikate.
She added that the health post will minimize cases of children dying from untreated malaria as women will be able to take their children to the hospital for proper diagnosis and treatment.
A member of the community, Kennedy Yuwa, described Mikate Health Post as a huge asset saying it will serve a lot of people from surrounding villages including those from Mulanje.
“We are grateful to the council for construction of this health facility. We used to walk 20 kilometers to Khonjeni but soon we will have a hospital which is very close to us.
“I have witnessed three people dying on their way to Khonjeni hospital due to lack of a health facility here but once the health post becomes functional, such cases will be minimized,” said Yuwa.
He appealed for the provision of officer’s houses saying it will assist the facility to help many people since the officers will be living within.
“In cases of emergencies at night, we know we will be well covered unlike in scenarios where the doctor lives away from the hospital,” he said.
Agnes Saizi from Namatuni Village, where Namatuni Health Post has been constructed, expressed gratitude saying many lives will be saved.
“For a patient to walk from here to Bvumbwe it was a burden but with a hospital nearby, many people will be treated and continue with their tasks,” said Saizi.
Saizi added that many under five children will also be saved as they will be accessing services closer to home.
She expressed concern that most mothers shun taking their children to health Centre’s for under-five clinic due to distance.
“This is dangerous as it may result into poor health outcomes as most vital vaccines and immunsations are missed,” said Saizi.
On his Facebook post on Thursday, Member of Parliament Thyolo Central, Ben Phiri, where Mikate Health Post is located, expressed happiness that the facility will soon be completed and start serving people from Mikate and surrounding villages.
The health posts have been constructed with funding from the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) project.
Salima fisheries receive boats to intensify patrol
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, February 25, Mana: Senga Bay Fisheries Research Station in Salima on Friday received an enforcement engine and a refurbished patrol boat amounting to US$100,000 (approximately K168million) to intensify inspection on Lake Malawi.
Speaking during the handover of the equipment at Senga Bay in Salima, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Dr Yusuf Mkungula, highlighted that intensifying patrolling and inspection on Lake Malawi will restore fish species and deter illegal fishing.
He said, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Restoring Fisheries for Sustainable Livelihoods in Lake Malawi (REFRESH) project, in collaboration with Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change, standard operating procedures for the monitoring, controlling and surveillance operations of the fisheries inspectorate were developed.
He, therefore, said the standard operating procedures are meant to be followed without fail as far as conservation of natural systems is concerned and the patrolling boats are a game changer in bringing sanity on the lake.
"The fisheries inspectorate need to have all the necessary equipment and gears if they are to execute their duties effectively; law enforcement needs to be strengthened.
"The items being handed over today are not just material possessions, they represent progress and the promise of a brighter future for Malawi's fisheries. These resources will, undoubtedly, enhance our capacity to promote responsible and sustainable use of our aquatic resources,” he said.
He made an assurance that the Department of Fisheries will use the equipment responsibly so that the fisheries sector should be propelled towards a resilient and self-reliant sector.
REFRESH project also handed over an Electronic Catch Assessment Survey (ECAS) system which signifies migration from the paper based Catch Assessment Survey to the modern system of entering data.
Chief of Party for REFRESH project, Dr Daniel Jamu, underscored the importance of fisheries saying, as the cornerstone of the national economy, a decline in fish supply poses challenges that impact the health and nutrition standards of many Malawians.
He said it was their wish to see that the new technology offers timely and accurate data that will be used by stakeholders.
The new technology allows for faster consolidation of the data unlike the manual system where data would take close to four months to be consolidated and shared.
Lake Malawi fish provides 45 percent of all animal protein consumed and is one of the world’s most biologically diverse lake with more than 1,000 fish species.
Karonga rice milling plant to be operational next month
By George Mponda
Karonga, February 25, Mana: Infrastructure Development Manager for Greenbelt Authority (GBA), Synoden Kautsi, has disclosed that a rice milling and processing plant at Nthola Ilola Irrigation Scheme in Karonga is set to start operating in two weeks’ time.
In an interview on Friday, Kautsi said construction works at the milling plant have been completed.
He added that Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) gave a list of required materilas for them to connect electricity and GBA has already engaged an electrical consultant.
"The facility is now at 99% complete and we are just waiting for electricity connection. It will also have its own transformer and once these are brought in by ESCOM, the plant will be operational within two weeks," he said.
Kautsi said, once fully operational, the plant will be able to mill 50 tonnes of rice per day and employ 100 workers.
2,500 anchor and out-grower farmers are expected to benefit from the plant.
Sub Traditional Authority Mwangolera commended GBA for the plant saying it will improve people’s livelihoods in his area.
"This is the first project of its kind in the northern region. I am glad that people from my area will be employed at the factory and farmers around Nthola Ilola Irrigation Scheme will have a place to process their rice," Mwangolera said.
President for Nthola Ilola Water Users Association, Oswald Gondwe, said for a long time they have been processing their rice manually and the coming of the plant is a relief.
Construction of the K773 million plant began in May 2022.
Government launches distribution of maize flour to vulnerable households
By Andrew Mkonda & Rennie Tembo
Lilongwe, February 25, Mana: Government has assured people heavily affected by hunger in the country of its commitment to serve the situation by reaching out to those affected with relief food.
Minister of Mining, Monica Chang’anamuno, made the assurance at Malembo Community Day Secondary School ground in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Chiwaula during the launch of the distribution of maize flour to vulnerable households.
She said it is sad that about 336,000 households in the district are food insecure due to effects of climate change that resulted to natural disasters such as floods and drought.
“President Dr Lazurus Chakwera does not want anyone to die of hunger. That is why we are launching this program today. Let me, therefore, appeal that the maize flour we are distributing today is not for sale and should be used for the intended purpose.
“Any beneficiary who sells this flour will be struck off the list of beneficiaries forthwith; and reported to security personnel for further action,” she said.
Chang’anamuno thanked various governments and humanitarian partners, specifically the World Bank, for providing financial support for procuring maize flour and World Food Programme (WFP) for assisting in logistical arrangements for the importation of the flour.
TA Chiwaula thanked government for the initiative saying it will go a long way in easing the challenges that the people are facing.
He urged his subjects to cultivate diversified food crops to reduce reliance on maize as El Nino threatens this year’s growing season.
One of the beneficiaries, Miness Malembo, said the maize flour will rescue her family from hunger.
She assured government to use the donation for the intended purpose.
At least 81,333 households have been affected by hunger in Lilongwe and earmarked to receive relief maize flour.
DoDMA launches 2nd phase of 2023/2024 LSFIRP in Mangochi
By Shaffie Bakali
Mangochi, February 25, Mana: Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) on Saturday launched the second phase of the 2023/2024 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme (LSFIRP) in Mangochi with distribution of fortified maize flour in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Mtelera in the district.
The 2023/2024 LSFIRP is expected to bail out 74,000 households in the district.
Speaking during the launch at Mchokola Primary School ground, DoDMA Deputy Director for Disaster Response, Fyawupi Mwafongo, advised beneficiaries to properly utilize the items.
"We are encouraging beneficiaries to refrain from selling the flour. We mobilize resources from different organizations that can lose interest in helping government if beneficiaries are not grateful,” Mwafongo said.
He hailed World Food Programme for uplifting the burden of transportation of the relief items.
Chairperson for Mangochi District Council, Hassan Chikuta, hailed government for distributing ready for use food.
"I would like to thank government for bringing maize flour in the second phase. During the first phase, people received maize which required financial resources to make it a final and consumable product," Chikuta said.
He encouraged local authorities, responsible for distribution, to ensure that the programme is benefiting the intended audience.
One of the beneficiaries, Jumo Anubi, expressed gratitude for the initiative saying it is a timely rescue.
Over 2,000 Ntchisi households get relief flour
By James Mwale
Ntchisi, February 25, Mana: At least 2,300 locals of Senior Chief Kalumo in Ntchisi district have received 50 kilogramme bag of maize flour each under the Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC) of the 2023/2024 Lean Season Food Insecurity Programme.
Speaking during the launch of the distribution exercise at Senior Chief Kalumo, Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) Deputy Director for Resilience, Hastings Mwanjoka, said the intervention is an indication of government’s commitment to making sure no one dies of hunger during the lean season.
“Government, through the World Bank funded initiative, is making sure that the most vulnerable and hunger stricken households get food relief. It will be unfortunate if any of the beneficiaries are found selling the relief food; and, if found, they will be taken to book,” he said.
He, therefore, urged authorities to make sure that only eligible beneficiaries receive the relief food items.
Chairperson for Ntchisi District Council, Arnold Kapolo, was thanked for the assistance describing it as timely.
He urged respective authorities to consider increasing the number of beneficiaries saying the current consignment was not enough to reach out to all vulnerable households in the district.
The maize flour distribution is supplementary to the maize and cash being distributed following the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) report released in July 2023 which projected that at least 4.4 million would face hunger during the 2023/2024 lean period.
Over 12,000 households across all traditional authorities in Ntchisi are expected to benefit from the food relief distribution exercise.
Nkhata Bay records 73 pink eye cases
By Margret Praise Kalua
Nkhata Bay, February 25, Mana: Nkhata Bay District Health Office (DHO) has announced that the district has recorded 73 cases of pink eye disease at Chintheche Rural Hospital since February 14, 2024.
A press statement released Friday signed by Director of Health and Social Services, Dr Topcy Mdolo, says most of the cases are from Traditional Authority (TA) Malanda with some few cases from neighbouring TAs of Malengamzoma and Fukamalaza.
Senior Health Promotion Officer for Nkhata Bay DHO, Christopher Singini, confirmed the development in an interview on Saturday.
Singini appealed to people in the district to avoid going to public places and seek medical attention at the nearest heath facility once they notice signs and symptoms of the disease.
Signs and symptoms of the disease include pink or red eye, swelling eyelid, increased tear production, itchy eye, whitish eye watery discharge, painful eye and visual disturbance.
"There is no specific management of the disease for it is self limiting hence let us avoid sharing personal items such as bath towels, wash hands with soap frequently and avoid rubbing eyes with dirty hands," Singini said.
TA Malanda said it is unfortunate that many traditional leaders in his area are not aware of the outbreak.
"As leaders, we haven't been alerted by health authorities of the disease in the district, specifically my area. It could have been better if we were told about it earlier so that we also sensitize our people on preventive measures,” he said.
Chairperson for Nkhata Bay Pastors Fraternal, Bishop David Mkandawire, said pastors are set to take part in spreading the right messages about the disease to the people through their congregations.
He, therefore, asked people to adhere to precaution measures recommended by health authorities to contain further spread of the disease.
Chakwera hails late Geingob as a great freedom fighter
By Linda Moyo in Windhoek, Namibia
Windhoek, February 25, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has hailed the late President of the Republic of Namibia, Hage Geingob, as an icon and hero of the African continent who played a pivotal role as a freedom fighter.
He made the remarks at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia on Saturday where he attended a state memorial service for the late Namibian President.
"Africa has lost one of its finest sons who believed in change and economic empowerment for his people. Late President Geingob was no ordinary man; he travelled the world sowing seeds of freedom, peace and prosperity for Namibia and Africa," said Chakwera.
Reflecting on his personal interactions with Geingob, President Chakwera described him as a wise counsellor, a brave warrior, a true statesman and a dear friend during the three and a half years of their association.
Former Namibian President, Hifikepunye Pohamba, described Geingob as a Pan-Africanist who made significant contributions to Namibia's liberation struggle.
"Geingob was one of the people who fought tirelessly for the liberation of the country. His role in crafting the Namibian constitution will be remembered by many," explained Pohamba.
Pohamba highlighted Geingob's hard work and determination which enabled him to serve his country as prime minister for two consecutive terms and later as President.
Geingob’s memorial service was attended by dignitaries from around the world, including the President of Germany, Namibia’s colonial masters from late 1880s.
Late Geingob, who passed away at the age of 82, will be laid to rest on Sunday at Heroes Acre in Windhoek.
The Namibian government has declared Monday, February 26, as a public holiday in honour of the departed hero.
Government embarks on distribution of maize flour to hunger-stricken families
By Memory Kutengule Chatonda
Blantyre, February 24, Mana: Government has started distributing maize flour targeting 1.8 million food-insecure people in the districts of Blantyre Chiradzulu, Lilongwe, Machinga, Mangochi, Mulanje, Mzimba, Thyolo, Dowa, Karonga, Ntchisi and Chitipa.
Presiding over the launch of maize flour distribution exercise under the 2023/24 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme at Chilangoma and Andiseni in Blantyre on Saturday, Minister of Information and Digitalisation Moses Kunkuyu said government is committed to ensuring that no one dies of hunger.
“We are expecting to receive 23,000 metric tonnes of maize flour from Tanzania and South Africa and so far, the first consignment of 1400 metric tonnes have arrived in the country which we are now distributing to the targeted 397,778 households.
“It is the wish of President Lazarus Chakwera who is the Minister responsible for Disaster and Management Affairs to see that no one dies of hunger,” he said.
The minister then warned people who would want to enrich themselves at the expense of intended beneficiaries that they will face the law once caught.
He advised the beneficiaries not to sell the maize flour but use it for the intended purpose.
“Any beneficiary who sells this flour will be struck off from the list of beneficiaries forthwith; and reported to security personnel for further action,’ he warned.
Kunkuyu, therefore, commended various governments and humanitarian partners, specifically the World Bank, for providing financial support for procuring maize flour, and World Food Programme (WFP) for assisting government in providing logistical arrangements for the importation of the maize flour.
In his remarks, WFP country representative Paul Turnbull described the food distribution exercise as a significant milestone in the organization’s efforts to alleviate the plight of vulnerable people who urgently require food assistance.
“Access to food is a fundamental human right, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that no one is deprived of this necessity. Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to build more resilient Malawi as we strive to achieve Zero Hunger goal by 2030,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Fanny Luka from Kuntaja area commended government for assisting them with the maize flour saying this initiative will help them to have food at home to sustain their daily life.
Chakwera arrives in Namibia for funeral ceremony Namibian President
By Linda Moyo,
Windhoek, February 24, MANA: President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has arrived in Windhoek, Namibia, to attend the funeral of the former Namibian President Hage Geingob, who died on February 4, 2024.
The President and Malawian delegation will attend the state memorial service at Independence Stadium, paying tribute to the legacy of President Geingob, scheduled for Saturday.
Accompanied by the first Lady, Madam Monica Chakwera, and other government dignitaries, President Chakwera was welcomed upon arrival by Namibian officials, including Deputy Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Janet Sande, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Anna Shiweda and Malawi's High Commissioner to Namibia Stella Ndau,
Eighteen world leaders are expected to attend the Funeral Ceremony.
Late President Geingob will be buried at Heroes acre in Windhoek, on Sunday, February 25, 2024.
President Geingob, 82, served as Namibia's president from 2015 until his passing on February 4.
President Chakwera's presence underscores the unity and solidarity among African leaders as they honour the life and achievements of late Hage Geingob
