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Mtuzuzu Health Post construction excites communities in Mzimba
By Joel Phiri
Mzimba, February 20, Mana: Communities in the area of Traditional Authority Mzukuzuku in Mzimba have expressed excitement with construction of K77 million Mtuzuzu Health Post, saying it will help ease challenges people were facing when sick.
In an interview on Tuesday, Patrick Gondwe from Mhlaba Village said before construction of the health post, they used to travel long distances to Vibangalala Health Post and Mzimba District Hospital to seek medical help.
‘‘We only had a health surveillance assistant who would treat us all. When faced with serious medical conditions we would travel to Mzimba District Hospital and other health facilities, some located 13 kilometres away,’’ said Gondwe.
Another community member, Alick Jere, said having a medical facility in close vicinity will help people in the area prevent needless deaths.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Mzimba South West, Raymond Nkhata (DPP), praised government for constructing the health post in his constituency, saying most people were spending a lot to seek medical help from far away hospitals.
In his remarks, health surveillance assistant for the area, Nathaniel Mlowoka, said he treats over 150,000 people a month.
‘‘Most people come to seek help for malaria and diarrhea. Construction of this health post will surely go a long way in alleviating a huge workload that was there,’’ said Mlowoka.
According to director of health and social services for the council, Dr Prince Chirwa, opening of the health post awaits construction of staff houses and furnishings, such as beds, mattresses and other materials for the hospitals.
M’mbelwa District Council constructed the health post with funds under Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) project.
‘Lack of disability friendly structures a hindrance to inclusive education’
By Margret Praise Kalua
Nkhata Bay, February 20, Mana: Lack of disability friendly structures at Kalambwe Primary School in Nkhata Bay is said to be preventing learners with disabilities from performing to their full potential.
The school's head teacher Florida Kampira made the revelation on Monday when Malawi Council for the Handicapped (Macoha) donated writing materials to 60 learners with and without disabilities, as one way of promoting inclusive education.
Kampira said the school is also grappling with lack of teaching and learning materials for learners with disabilities.
"Our school is a combination of learners with and without disabilities. However, the environment is a bit challenging since there is inadequate teaching and learning materials and disability unfriendly infrastructure which is negatively impacting learners with disabilities.
"Learners with disabilities are capable of achieving great things but they are often bullied and suffer from inferiority due to discouraging sentiments regarding their disabilities. We are thankful to Macoha for always remembering them,” Kampira said.
In his remarks, a 12-year-old standard seven learners with disability, Hope Phiri, said they fight for the available little resources, such as braille books and some struggle to enter classes that have stairs instead of lumps.
Assistant Rehabilitation Officer for Macoha in Nkhata Bay, Matatiyo Chirambo, said they are advocating for community based inclusive development in which education is one of the components and they are set to assist about 200 learners with disabilities in the district with writing materials.
Karonga records 243 cases of viral conjunctivitis in 5 days
By George Mponda
Karonga, February 20, Mana: Director of Health Services for Karonga District Health Office, Dr. David Sibale, has disclosed that they have recorded 243 cases of viral conjunctivitis disease in five days, from Monday to Friday last week.
An outbreak of the disease, also known as pink eye, was announced by the district health office on February 13.
Speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency on Tuesday, Dr. Sibale attributed the spread of the disease to knowledge gaps and travelling of people to and from neighboring Tanzania.
Sibale said: "Knowledge gaps usually exist at the beginning of any outbreak and what happens is that it keeps on spreading until a lot of people become infected that's when they become aware of the problem and start to act.
“Another reason is that there is a lot of travelling through Karonga to Tanzania and back which can also fuel transmission of the disease."
He said there are still some cases which have not yet been detected, adding that people in the communities are talking of having eye conditions.
Sibale explained that the district is currently promoting health education through various means so that many people should be aware of the outbreak and follow health guidelines.
In a separate interview, Senior Chief Karonga said there is need for massive awareness campaigns to be conducted in the district.
"What I have noted is that there appears to be so much awareness messages through phones but I think there should be more work being done on the ground by reaching out even to the hardest to reach areas in the district where phone signals are a problem," he said.
Viral conjunctivitis is a disease which affects the eyes and it is caused by a virus that can easily spread from person to person. Signs and symptoms include; pink or red colour in the white part of the eye, swelling of the conjunctiva (eye lining), increased tear production, itching, eye discharge, painful eye and visual disturbance.
Chief Santhe hails health staff houses project
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, February 20, Mana: Senior Chief Santhe of Kasungu says the five houses that have been constructed at Santhe Health Centre will help to reduce the long standing problem of staff shortage in rural health facilities.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, Santhe said rural health facilities have for long been facing shortage of health workers, owing to shortage of staff houses.
“Lack of staff houses has a huge impact on healthcare service delivery. It’s either the healthcare personnel’s morale will be low or the staff will not be interested to be deployed to a facility that has no houses.
“This is why we are excited that our staff houses here are nearing completion, meaning soon they will be occupied. This now means more staff for the facility and consequently improved health service delivery,” she said.
Santhe said the houses should now be a motivation to healthcare workers to be interested to work everywhere in the district and help towards ensuring that every person has access to quality health services.
The houses are part of the K3 billion Health Infrastructure Rehabilitation Fund which will also help to complete 18 other health staff houses that were abandoned under the Umoyo Housing Project in 2012 in various health facilities.
Director of Public Works for Kasungu District Council, Davie Chigwenembe, said he is impressed with the quality of the structures being constructed under the project.
He said: “Apart from the Santhe houses which are at 90 percent completion, we are also finishing staff houses that were abandoned in 2012, specifically at Kasungu District Hospital, Lodjwa, Kaluluma, Wimbe, Bua and Chamwavi health Centre’s.
“Some of the funds have been used to rehabilitate a walkway corridor at Kasungu District Hospital, and the rehabilitation of a solar power water supply reticulated system and supply of solar power to staff houses at Ofesi Health Centre.”
Chigwenembe said it is pleasing that most of the contractors have delivered within the stipulated contract period, giving an example of the Santhe houses which will be handed over at the end of February – a month earlier.
“Another good thing to note is that all the structures under this project have been delivered within the contract price despite that there was devaluation of the Kwacha.
“Additionally, we have saved some money for additional work like construction of a maternal and child health block, maintenance of existing offices and construction of a pharmacy at Kasungu District Hospital,” he said.
In the 2023/24 financial year, Kasungu District was allocated K3 billion to pilot the health infrastructure rehabilitation project which was also being piloted in Mzimba, Dowa, Balaka, Chitipa and Likoma.
Mchinji DC urges vigilance as National ID outreach begins
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, February 20, Mana: As the sixth phase of the National ID Outreach and Community Death Registration exercise begins this Wednesday, Mchinji District Commissioner Lucia Chidalengwa has urged the District Registration Task Force (DRTF) to play an important role in the exercise.
Mchinji, Mzimba North, Dedza, and Chikwawa districts are in phase six of the exercise, which will commence on Wednesday, February 21 and runs for 15 days up to March 6, 2024.
Chidalengwa, speaking to the DRTF before the exercise, said the committee is very important in dealing with all the issues that concern citizen registration and needs to play a very important role.
“These days everyone needs a National ID because it is a very important document. Most institutions identify citizens using National IDs, including all social protection programmes. So, the exercise is very important and the DRTF is also crucial in making sure the exercise goes on smoothly,” said Chidalengwa.
This exercise is aimed at offering an opportunity to citizens who have just turned 16 years old to register for their first ID card and will also give a chance to get an ID card replacement for those who have their cards lost or damaged.
On the other hand, the Community Death Registration exercise intends to register all deaths that occurred from 2017 to-date.
Mchinji Police Officer in Charge John Nkhoma, commenting on the exercise, told the committee to be vigilant, as Mchinji is a border district where non-Malawian citizens can take advantage of the exercise.
“The officers conducting the exercise have to be aware of foreigners and have to be warned that registering ineligible people is a criminal offence and will be arrested,” said Nkhoma.
During the exercise, National Registration Bureau will place teams of registration officers at selected centres in every ward in a particular district.
Youth skills programme ignites youth entrepreneurship
By Vincent Khonje
Chiradzulu, February 20, Mana: A new era is about to dawn in Chiradzulu, where hope has been offered to young people who never considered starting an enterprise.
Like in most other parts of the nation, the district's youths live in poverty with hope fading quickly.
A new story is beginning to unfold, as young people are rising and taking advantage of an opportunity that has heightened expectations.
Guided by COMSIP Cooperative Union Limited's Youth Skills Challenge (YSCS) Programme, young entrepreneurs in Chiradzulu are forging their paths, transforming dreams into reality.
YSCS is a programme which COMSIP Cooperative Union Limited, through the Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme (SSRLP) Tidzidalire, is implementing in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth and Technical Entrepreneurial and Vocational Training Authority (TEVETA).
Rabson James, 25, from Jekete Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mpama and a member of the Mwaiwathu COMSIP cluster, symbolizes the spirit of seizing the opportunity.
Reflecting on his past, James said he grew up in impoverished conditions, struggling to find food and decent shelter.
Relying on piecework, he could not even dream of a brighter future someday.
He was, however, blessed with a little knowledge of tinsmithing, but he was not fully skilled to earn from it. Furthermore, he had no tools.
"I always had the ability for tinsmithing, but without proper training and equipment, it remained just a hobby,” he narrated.
In 2018, he was enrolled in the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) programme, a sub-component of SSRLP Tidzidalire where the ultra-poor households are provided with monthly cash to address their needs.
James's journey was one marked by hardship and uncertainty, but as beneficiaries of the programme, they were introduced to savings and loans by COMSIP Cooperative Union Limited.
However, through COMSIP, an opportunity arose to participate in the YSCS programme, and James seized it with determination.
“Being chosen for the programme was a game-changer for me,” James said.
“Through the programme, I have not only honed my skills but also gained invaluable knowledge in business management," he added.
For four months, James underwent training in tinsmithing and, after completing it, he was not only armed with newfound expertise but also given tools for his trade.
The trainings are conducted by TEVETA-certified craftsmen from the communities the youths come from.
After the training, James embarked on his entrepreneurial journey and, today, his tinsmithing business thrives.
"Life has taken a turn for the better," James said. "I am standing on my own two feet, providing for my family and contributing to the economy."
He is now running a tinsmithing business which fetches over K20,000 a week and he can give quality life to his family of six.
Rosicky Magombo's narrative is reminiscent of James' in its tenacity and willpower.
Through the YSCS programme, Magombo found a lifeline - a chance to pursue his passion for welding and fabrication.
"The programme opened doors I never thought possible," he reflected, "For the first time, I had access to proper training and equipment.”
Magombo, just like James, is from a poor background, struggling to find food and other necessities.
The news about the YSCS programme to Mombezi Cluster, which Magombo belonged to, was welcomed by the young people who realized hope had come.
“It was like a dream come true because I knew I would hone my skills in a trade that I have wanted to do,” said Magombo.
He also underwent four months of training, coming back fully equipped with skills in welding and fabrication, on top of being given start up tools for his trade.
Since opening his shop in January 2024, Magombo has seen his business steadily grow, providing a stable income for his family.
"For me, this business is more than just a source of income," Magombo shared. "It is a lifeline and a pathway out of poverty. With hard work and dedication, I believe I can build a better future for myself and my family."
He said in the first month of his business he made about K22,000; however, he said he was hopeful that the business would be established.
The story of Gloria Maulana, 29, and Tiwonge Chisale, 23, provides a new dimension to Chiradzulu's young entrepreneurs' tale.
Enrolled in the SCT programme, they still faced difficult challenges in their quest for a better life.
When the opportunity arose in the form of the YSCS programme in their respective Ntchema and M’bawa Clusters, they also embraced it.
They chose hairdressing as a skill to be very well conversant with and underwent training for four months.
After COMSIP gave them start-up tools, precisely on December 18, 2023, the two girls pondered on a partnership to enable them to grow before they could pursue solo businesses in the future.
"Partnering with Tiwonge to establish our hairdressing salon was a dream come true. With the skills and equipment provided by the programme, we have been able to build a thriving business, supporting our families and empowering ourselves," said Maulana.
Chisale echoed her partner’s sentiments: "We have come a long way from where we started. With hard work and purpose, we have been able to overcome our circumstances and build a better future for ourselves."
Their hair-dressing business made K58,100 the first month and they are happy they can support their families’ needs.
The stories of the four young people are a testament to how young people in Chiradzulu have taken entrepreneurship after being equipped with the YSCS programme.
COMSIP district coordinator for Chiradzulu, Chisomo Selemani, said the youths under the programme have done very well and picked up different trades and skills.
Selemani said most of them have also received equipment and set up their small businesses that are doing well.
“Those that have started their businesses are progressing and able to make money that they are also saving in their COMSIP clusters. Their lives have taken a new turn, which shows improvement to lives,” said Selemani.
According to COMSIP development communication officer Mercy Kayuni, among other things, the young people are learning about cosmetology, tailoring, tinsmithing, bricklaying, plumbing, carpentry and welding, and by the end of the SSRLP in 2027, COMSIP would have trained 4,300 youths under this initiative.
Kayuni said upon finishing the skills training, the youths are supported with start-up tools and financial linkages where they get support for loans to kick-start their businesses.
“Those that are getting start-up tools are getting loans averaging K300,000 from COMSIV Limited, a finance subsidiary of COMSIP Cooperative Union Limited, to establish them in business and are signing community bonds to be operating their businesses within their communities,” she said.
The first trained cohort had 721 youths from Chiradzulu, Blantyre, Phalombe, Balaka, Dedza, Lilongwe, Dowa, Ntchisi, Kasungu, Nkhotakota, Nkhatabay, Karonga, Rumphi and Chitipa, and the second cohort targets 1,789 youths.
YSCS is implemented under the SSRLP Tidzidalire with funding from the World Bank and Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
39 Malawians sent packing from Mozambique escorted to their homes
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, February 20, Mana: Authorities in Mchinji have responded to an issue where 39 Malawians were stranded after being sent back home from a farm in Mozambique.
Eighteen of the people, who are children, were forced to travel on foot from a farm in Mozambique, where they were working in.
According to Chimkute Walazi, from Mwansambo Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Kayembe in Dowa, who led the group from the farm, they found themselves in Mozambique as tenants working on a tobacco farm after being picked from Dowa in August last year.
Walazi said on Saturday, however, they were caught unawares when their employer told them that he can no longer keep them on the farm because of dry spells that have affected productivity on the farm.
“We were picked on a vehicle from Dowa in August last year and we were promised that we will work on a farm in Mchinji but it transpired that we had to go to Mozambique where the farm is,” said Walazi.
Walazi said after being told to leave, they had no choice but to pick up their belongings and travel on foot from Mozambique and reached Namizana Border on Sunday where officers helped them and facilitated their movement to Mchinji Boma.
At Mchinji Boma, they were welcomed by authorities, including the police and the social welfare office, who provided shelter and food.
On Monday, the District Commissioner (DC) for Mchinji, Lucia Chidalengwa, provided food for the people and also secured fuel which was used to take the stranded people to their respective homes.
District Social Welfare Officer Joyce Malika said the group had nothing on them, as their employer did not even give them any payment upon severing their agreement.
Malika said the group has been supported and has since been sent to their respective homes in Dowa and Lilongwe.
“As an office, we also gave them some counselling since they were in a bit of trauma because of what has happened, after that they were taken to their homes,” said Malika.
Apart from the DC providing support to the stranded people, a well-wisher, a Mchinji businessman Wells Musa, donated a bag of maize and soya pieces to each family as a starter pack when they get home.
Chief hails council over road
By Chisomo Kambandanga
NKhata Bay, February 19, Mana: Group Village Head (GVH) Tofamu in the area of Senior Chief Fukamapiri in Nkhata Bay has hailed the district council for constructing a diversion on Tchesamu-Lutende Road which was submerged by Linga Dam last year.
In an interview on Monday, GVH Tofamu, said following submersion of a section of the road, people in his community could not access some of the basic social services on the other side of the dam.
“Completion of the diversion road has brought excitement to us because cars can now travel to the area on the other side of the dam without problems and transportation of agricultural products has been simplified.
"A lot of people had been cut off from social services as they could not access facilities such as Kasangaza Health Centre and Mapale Primary School, among others, which are located on the other side," he said.
Principal Irrigation Officer for Nkhata Bay, Bernard Musewu, confirmed completion of the road diversion adding that two bridges have been constructed on the new road section.
The two kilometre road has been constructed with funding from the African Development Bank and the Malawi Government.
Kapito trashes Illovo Sugar’s assertions on sugar scarcity
By Tawonga Moyo
Mzuzu, February 19, Mana: Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) Executive Director, John Kapito, has described Illovo Sugar’s assertions on reasons of the commodity’s scarcity on the market as a joke and an insult to consumers.
At a presser held in Blantyre on Friday, Managing Director for Illovo Sugar, Lekani Katandula, said Cyclone Freddy that hit the country last year has had an impact on the firm’s sugar output, resulting in the scarcity.
Katandula said, unlike last year from September to February, when the company produced 119,000 tonnes of sugar, this year they have only managed to produce 77,000 tonnes of the commodity.
In an interview on Monday, Kapito said sugar scarcity is not a new problem as Malawians have experienced it before and, as such, the sugar company could have found ways of solving the problem.
“I don’t find their reasons valuable but an insult to consumers. Cyclone Freddy is a year old and for them to still attribute it to the recent scarcity of the commodity is a sign of arrogance on their part.
“They are ashamed to admit their failure,” said Kapito.
A visit to Chipiku Stores in Mzuzu on Monday was met by empty shelves of sugar whilst at Sana Stores, consumers were scrambling for the few packets left on the shelf, with many clearly expressing their frustrations regarding the problem.
One of the consumers, Dominique Luhanga, who resides in Chiputula, Mzuzu said as a consumer he is greatly affected by scarcity of the commodity and thinks the problem is politically motivated.
“Sugar is one of the commodities we rely on. I am of the view that politics is having a role because government is trying so hard to ensure the commodity is found on the market and this might be a ploy to frustrate government’s efforts,” said Luhanga.
Earlier on, Minister of Trade Sosten Gwengwe assured Malawians that his ministry had engaged Illovo Sugar Malawi to iron out issues behind the sugar crisis in the country.
Minister urges councils to assist government's programs
By Wongani Mkandawire
Nkhotakota, February 19, Mana: Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda has urged district councils to be at the forefront ensuring that people in the country are not multiple beneficiaries of government's programmes.
Chimwendo Banda made the remarks Sunday at a rally at Nkhunga Police Ground in Senior Chief Kanyenda in Nkhotakota.
According to Banda, some beneficiaries of government programmes access support from various programs, including Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP), Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Program (CSPWP) and Social Cash Transfer, while others are not benefitting from any.
"Council officials should identify beneficiaries at the local level to assist people who can access such support in their districts as government is committed to making sure that all Malawians are well supported," said Chimwendo Banda.
He, therefore, assured people in the district of government’s continued support such as construction of police houses at Nkhunga Police.
Meanwhile, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) aspiring candidate for Nkhotakota North Constituency, Dorothy Chikonje, asked government to put much effort in assisting people in the area in various projects like construction of secondary schools, among others.
Presidential Advisor on Education, Dr Ellias Chakwera, assured people in the area that what Chikonje highlighted would be delivered to the President.
