By Sukasuka Milton

Lilongwe, May 9, Mana: The Lilongwe District Health Office (DHO) has called for strengthened partnerships with various stakeholders to enhance health service delivery.

Speaking during a coordination meeting on Friday, Lilongwe DHO Director, Dr. Wilson Ching'ani, explained how the office's key plans and projects complement each other.

He said: "Our District Implementation Plan (DIP) is like a big plan that makes sure all the health work at the different health places in Lilongwe happens in a good way. Then, the Direct Facility Financing (DFF) is a way to give money directly to the community hospitals and health centers. This money helps them take care of the important health problems in their own areas without waiting for the government to step in."

Dr. Ching’ani then emphasised the importance of partnerships in enhancing health service services in Malawi.

Commenting on a different note, Red Cross Society of Malawi District Coordinator, Malumbo Nyirenda, emphasized that they are working hard to curb the MPOX disease in area 36.

“We are doing three main things, teaching people about the risks, taking care of people who are sick, and working with many different groups, and this Sunday we are starting to go out into the communities with the DHO team to teach people about the signs of MPOX and how to stay safe," she said.         

Nyirenda reaffirmed the Red Cross Society of Malawi’s commitment to help the government so that people access quality health services.

The meeting highlighted ongoing collaborations with various partners who are already working together.

By Wellington Sibale

Neno, May 9, Mana: Partners in Health (PIH), locally known as Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Malawi’s health sector by handing over a newly established High Dependency Unit (HDU) worth over K452 million to Neno District Hospital.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, PIH Executive Director, Basimenye Nhlema, said the HDU aims to reduce the number of critically ill patients referred to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre thereby improving access to critical care services in the district.

She said the HDU unit, which cost approximately K195 million for renovations and around K257 million for medical equipment, is expected to significantly enhance patient outcomes in the district.

“Previously, critically ill patients had to endure long and treacherous journeys to Blantyre, often resulting in loss of life enroute due to poor road conditions,” said Nhlema.

She highlighted the long-standing gap in Malawi’s healthcare system, where critical care services are generally available only at tertiary facilities.

“Secondary facilities like Neno have lacked adequate support. With this HDU, we aim to bridge that gap and save lives locally,” she said.

Nhlema also acknowledged financial support from the Wyss Medical Foundation and emphasized PIH’s continued investment in healthcare personnel.

She disclosed that so far, 15 nurses and four clinicians have received specialized training at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital to ensure the HDU operates effectively.

Neno District Hospital’s Director of Health Services, Dr. Enock Ndalama, hailed the development as both historic and transformative for the district’s healthcare delivery.

He thanked PIH and its partners, noting that the facility will also serve nearby districts like Mwanza.

“We are very grateful to PIH for this gesture. This marks a historic moment for healthcare in Neno. We also thank the Wyss Medical Foundation for their generous funding,” he said.

Neno District Council Chairperson, Joseph Chiphaliwali, echoed the appreciation, stressing that the facility would address the long-standing challenge of transporting critically ill patients over long distances.

“The poor state of our roads has often led to fatalities during patient transfers. With this facility, we expect a significant reduction in such cases,” he said.

The HDU is part of a broader health improvement initiative by PIH, which recently included the handover of two fully equipped ambulances and the construction of an emergency room at Zalewa Health Centre and PIH has pledged to continue working closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure sustainable healthcare improvements in the country.

By Wellington Sibale

Neno, May 9, Mana: Partners In Health (PIH) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health this week awarded scholarships to six nurses in Neno District to upgrade their qualifications in various healthcare fields with a condition that all beneficiary return to Neno upon completion of their studies to improve on human resource.

Speaking during the scholarship award ceremony, PIH Medical Director, Dr. Christopher Banda said through Takeda Grant, the scholarships are intended to equip healthcare workers with advanced knowledge and skills required in delivering high-quality care, aligned with Malawi Vision 2063 enabler 5, which focuses on human capital development.

“The programme was developed in response to staffing gaps and the need for enhanced competencies among healthcare providers in Neno,” he added.

He said PIH received 50 applications, shortlisted 14 and selected six candidates based on criteria including proven nursing experience, qualifications and a commitment to serve in Neno for at least two years.

Banda added that the scholarships will support three nurses pursuing master’s degrees and three others pursuing bachelor’s degrees with fields of study including; Midwifery, Community Health Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, Mental Health Nursing and Nursing and Midwifery.

He said the programme will run until 2027, with a condition that all beneficiaries return to Neno upon completion of their studies, adding that PIH will provide tuition, accommodation, and food allowances throughout the training period.

“Even beyond 2027, we are committed to mobilise additional resources to continue supporting healthcare workers.

“We expect awardees to complete their studies on time and return to serve their communities with enhanced skills,” added Banda.

Neno District Medical Officer Dr. Albert Chafunya applauded the initiative, describing it as a major boost to the district's healthcare delivery.

“This programme targets both general nurses and specialists, which will significantly improve the quality of healthcare in Neno and the country,” he added.

One of the recipients, Pilirani Iddih, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying; “This scholarship is life-changing as it allows us to pursue further education that was previously out of reach. We are committed to returning and serving the people of Neno,” he stated.

By Ruth Kumwenda

Blantyre, May 9, Mana:  In a bid to enhance communication and promote a culture of openness in schools, Mitsidi Police Unit on Thursday donated a complaints and suggestions box to Chigwaja Primary School at Traditional Authority Kuntaja Blantyre, to give learners opportunity to freely express their concerns and suggestion.

Community Policing Coordinator for Mitsidi Police Unit, Sergeant Ausborne Moses said the complaints and suggestions box with support from UNICEF will provide opportunity to learners especially girls to voice out their concerns regarding gender-based violence.

“We want to help learners to speak out about any form of violence they encounter at home, in school, or elsewhere. We have noticed that many learners suffer in silence when abused by relatives or guardians such as stepfathers or uncles.

“This silence affects learners performance as well as their wellbeing,” Moses added and emphasized the need for learners to report any form of abuse whether at home, from teachers or fellow students.

He said that concerns should be reported in writing and placed in the suggestions box. The Community Policing Coordinator assured the learners that only police officers would open the box and address the concerns.

Moses further warned learners against theft, vandalism, cybercrimes, and any involvement in mob justice, observing that some criminals entice minors to commit crimes.

Chigwaja School Deputy Headteacher, Pauline Bisoni commended the police for introducing the initiative, describing it as timely and essential.

She also thanked the police for informing learners on how and where to report gender based violence.

“We thank Mitsidi Police Unit for introducing the complaints and suggestions box, learners will benefit a lot from the initiative. Many learners experience violence at their homes but don't know where to report it,

“This box will help them report freely without fear and this will help to create a conducive learning environment,” Bisoni added and urged the police to roll out the initiative to other schools.

Angella Banda, a Standard 7 learner at Chigwaja School welcomed the initiative saying it will help her and other learners to report sensitive issues without fear.

Learners further expressed optimism that the complaints and suggestions box will help stakeholders to find possible solutions to home and school based violence and other forms of abuse elsewhere. 

By Yanjanani Mendulo

Chiradzulu, May 9, Mana: The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA), on Thursday,  distributed 1,800 50kg bags of maize to vulnerable beneficiaries in Lupanga Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Likoswe, in Chiradzulu.

The distribution exercise, which took place at Chisombezi Admarc aimed to provide crucial food assistance to households facing food insecurity in the area.

Disaster Risk Management Officer for Chiradzulu District Council, Patrick Mulinga said the initiative is part of the government's ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of crop failure and economic hardship on vulnerable populations across the country.

"The government is committed to ensure that no Malawian goes to bed hungry. This maize distribution in Lupanga Village is a testament to that commitment because this is their third time to receive this help and we will continue to work tirelessly to reach all those in need," said Mulinga.

Chairperson for Lupanga Area Civil Protection Committee, Doris Matamanda warned the beneficiaries not to sell the maize but to use as it is intended.

"The bags have been distributed to two groups of people; the first group is the ones who were receiving Ntukula pakhomo money and the second group are the local people from the village," added Matamanda.

One of the beneficiaries from the village, Eliza Matope, expressed gratitude for the timely assistance.

 "We are very thankful for this maize. It will help us feed our families during this difficult time," she said.

By Monica Banda

Mchinji, Thursday 9, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson, Annabel Mtalimanja, has urged traditional leaders to disseminate messages concerning voter verification exercises to their communities and maintain peace and stability during the time of elections.

Mtalimanja made the remarks on Thursday during a meeting with different stakeholders at Pinda Primary School in Traditional Authority (TA) Pinda in Mchinji.

"It is imperative for registered voters to come forward and verify their records and to make them aware of the coming activity. They can also use the live SMS platform to verify their records which started on May 5 and will continue until the poling day this year," Mtalimanja said.

TA Pinda encouraged his fellow leaders and all stakeholders to promote peace and avoid favouring political leaders in their communities.

" As local leaders, we should avoid favouring particular candidates who are participating in the coming elections and we must disseminate true news. My fellow chiefs make sure that you take the message that you got here to your community members to ensure that everyone has verified his or her voting history as a valid voter," Pinda said.

He also urged people to feel free to go and ask MEC officials if they do not understand what MEC said to prevent people from spreading news that can lead to chaos in communities.

Voter inspection and verification exercises will be conducted in three phases, each of which will last three days.

Phase one will start from May 13 to 15, 2025 while phase two will start from May 21 to 23, 2025, and the final phase will start from May 29 to 31, 2025.