MANAonline
COWLA distributes goats, pigs to 175 caregivers in Nkhata Bay
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, June 4, Mana: Coalition of Women Living with HIV and AIDS (COWLA) has distributed goats and pigs to 175 caregivers for children living with HIV in Nkhata Bay through the ‘Bringing Kids Living with HIV to Care’ project.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday during the distribution of livestock to Mtisunge caregivers group, Advocacy Lead, Isaac Mafuel Banda said the project will enhance caregivers' capacity to care for the children beyond the project period.
The project targets children aged 0-14 who are HIV positive and pregnant or breastfeeding mothers seeking testing.
"As the project nears its end, sustainability has been a concern. That's why we introduced income-generating activities to help caregivers continue caring for the children after the project," he said.
According to Banda, the livestock will provide food, nutrition, and potential income for transport to healthcare services.
Programs Manager for Mtisunge AIDS and Community Development Support Organization (MACODESO), Michael Kameta stated that the livestock distribution was based on individual group needs.
“Two groups have received six goats each, while five groups received five piglets each, benefiting 175 caregivers,” said Kameta.
In her remarks, one of the beneficiaries from Mtisunge caregiver group, Anne Ngwira commended COWLA for the support and appealed for unity and hard work among caregivers to ensure the initiative's success.
“With the pigs we have received, we are confident that we will soon start earning income, as there is a readily available market for piglets,” she added.
One of the Community Development Officers from Nkhata Bay District Council, Atusaye Jere urged beneficiaries to utilize the opportunity to improve their access to healthcare services.
The project is implemented by COWLA in partnership with MACODESO, Y+ Malawi, Reach Trust with funding from AIDSFONDS and will run until December, this year.
Increase in youth cases reported at Zomba Mental Hospital
By Memory Khutuliwa
Blantyre, June 4, Mana; Health and Rights Education Programme (HREP) Executive Director, Maziko Matemba said there’s a need for government and partners to put in place strict measures to prevent drug and substance abuse among young people in the country as cases increase at the central referral facility where 436 young people got admitted in 2024 due to drug related mental health.
Matemba made the remarks following a concern from Zomba Mental Hospital that there was a worrisome trend that has seen increased numbers of young people getting admitted to the Zomba hospital due to issues that could be avoided by strict regulations.
He therefore urged government and partners in the youth and health sectors to look at root causes of such trends and find lasting solutions to prevent losing the next generation.
“It is encouraging that Parliament recently passed the Mental Health Bill. Once the President assents to it, there is an opportunity to urgently operationalize the law to address mental health issues,” he added.
Spokesperson for Zomba Mental Hospital, Harry Kawiya encouraged parents and guardians to interact with their children on issues to do with effects of drug and substance abuse so that they should have adequate information about effects of consumming such addictive substance.
Apart from mental health problems, Kawiya said drugs and substance abuse leads to other problems such as kidney and hepatitis, adding that that addicts most of the times share needles and other sharp objects that put them at risk of contracting HIV.
He also noted that drug and multiple substance use can lead to behavioral disorders such as depression and psychosis, which may result in job loss and even suicide.
“The majority of those that are admitted at Zomba Mental Hospital are young people from teens to early 30s, and this is the period when a person presents first episode. According our statistics, in 2023, we admitted 340 due to multiple drug abuse and in 2024 we admitted 436,” he explained.
He added that government through ministry of health encourages integration of healthcare services in schools such that the Ministry of Education has incorporated issues of drug prevention in the school curriculum.
Blantyre District Youth Officer, Peter Mizedya acknowledge increase in number of young men with mental health issues due to a number of factors, among them drug and substance abuse.
He said Blantyre Youth Office facilitates establishment of youth clubs to engage in a number of youth activities such as peer education on issues that negatively affect youth’s health and social well being, adding that youth clubs are therefore expected to discourage drug and substance abuse and all life styles that could compromise youth development.
“With risk vulnerability tool, issues to do with mental health are also discussed in youth clubs,” he added and further explained that district youth offices refer issues of mental health among youths to relevant authorities for counselling and treatment.
Operation Eyesight hands over medical equipment to Chitipa District hospital
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, May 3, Mana: On Tuesday, Operation Eyesight handed over medical equipment worth MK20 million to the Optometry Department at Chitipa District Hospital to enable the facility to begin producing spectacles.
Country Director for Operation eyesight in Zambia and Malawi, Kennedy Phiri said that his organization handed over medical equipment to set up an optical laboratory at the district health facility.
Phiri said that Chitipa District Hospital will be making spectacles and distributing to the four districts that the project is also implementing its activities, which includes; Karonga, Mzimba North, Mzimba and Mzuzu City.
“Most of the people that have got visual problems it is either they cannot see properly, they cannot read properly, or they have cataracts.
“By providing this medical equipment we are going to allow a lot of people especially young people including elderly people to be able to live normal lives as they will be able to wear glasses that they can get from here cheaply to support their everyday life,” he said.
Phiri further disclosed that a technician will assemble the equipment next week, followed by training for the health workers. He added that by the end of June this year, the facility is expected to start producing spectacles.
Chitipa District Council Director of Health and Social Services, Dr. Jollings Kasondo, thanked Operation Eyesight for handing over medical equipment at the health facility to set up the optical laboratory, which he said will improve eye services in Chitipa district and country as a whole.
Dr. Kasondo said that in the essential health care package, eye conditions have been emphasized including the preventable and correctable eye conditions.
“We have received a large consignment, which is worth multi-million US dollars which will help to improve eye services in terms of diagnosing and also correcting refractive errors that a lot of aged and young clients are having in our district,” he explained.
He then saluted the organization for having a component of user training to the health workers, which he said will make the medical equipment more sustainable and live longer.
Dr. Kasondo noted that one challenge that they often have is how to use and also detect the anomalies in the medical equipment.
“The training will assist our health workers to have technical knowledge of the gadget, which will make the lifespan of the gadget longer. So, there are a lot of things that we are going to do to safeguard these medical equipment,” he said.
Gift Munkhondya of Lwakwa area in Senior Chief Mwabulambya, thanked Operation Eyesight for handing over the medical equipment, which he said will go a long way in assisting people in the district to see properly.
Operation Eyesight is implementing a five-year Canadian funded project, titled; ‘Elimination of Avoidable Blindness on a Sustainable Basis’ in Chitipa District.
Biwi Health Centre shines in Measles vaccination campaign
By Rennie Tembo
Lilongwe, June 4, Mana: Minister of Health, Khumbidze Kandodo Chiponda has expressed satisfaction with the commitment and quality health service delivery that Biwi Health Centre in Lilongwe is providing to the general community.
Chiponda made the remarks on Tuesday, when she made a surprise visit to the health facility and found that they have already successfully vaccinated over 6,000 children against measles, against their initial target of 9,500 children.
The Minister stated that for a country to succeed in delivering healthcare services, it needs dedicated and goal-oriented workers.
''The measles campaign was launched last month, and within two days, this center managed to vaccinate 6, 000 children. This only demonstrates commitment, good planning, and strong relationship with the community that this center has and a testament to the hard work of these healthcare workers,” she said.
Chiponda urged mothers and guardians to bring their children for vaccination, as the government aims to eliminate the disease from the country.
''To our mothers, I ask you to please bring your children for vaccination, it is an important step in protecting their health and preventing the further spread of measles, your role is vital in keeping our community safe and healthy,” she said.
She then condemned the act of stealing drugs in hospitals, saying the vice is becoming rampant, and warned that anyone found engaging in the behavior will face the long arm of the law.
Biwi Health Centre Clinical Officer In-Charge, Ella Khaiya Lungu, thanked the Minister for visiting the facility saying it has an encouragement to members of staff.
"Your visit has been a morale booster and our aim is to deliver the best possible service to the people because this is what we've been called to do.
“We have succeeded because we planned well, we informed the community about the importance of the vaccine before it arrived, so the people were ready to bring their children for vaccination since they already knew how important the vaccine was for their children’s health,” she said.
Malawi has since reported 683 measles cases since October 2024 and is conducting a five-day vaccination campaign in six districts, namely: Nkhotakota, Salima, Ntcheu, Mangochi, Blantyre and Lilongwe.
Neno water challenges to end by September
By Salome Gangire
Neno, June 3, Mana: Southern Region Water Board (SRWB) has assured residents at Neno that the water board’s long-standing water challenges will soon be a thing of the past, with plans underway to drill a new borehole at a higher elevation apart from constructing additional water tank to improve supply coverage.
SRWB Board Chairperson, Brown Mpinganjira, acknowledged on Tuesday during an interface with Neno residents that some parts of the district face persistent water supply issues, observing that this has been the case due to the current tank and borehole that are located at a lower point, making it difficult to supply water to higher-lying areas.
Mpinganjira toured Neno following complaints submitted by the Neno Water Task Force to SRWB in Zomba.
“About five days ago, we received a delegation from Neno led by the Task Force Chairperson. They brought complaints regarding inconsistent water supply and the limited coverage area especially in hilly locations. In response, we decided to come here immediately to assess the situation firsthand and find solutions,” he said.
As an interim measure, Mpinganjira said the board would improve the current system by adjusting supply schedules including suspending water provision in some nights to allow tanks to refill and ensure fair distribution.
He added that the board has since briefed President Lazarus Chakwera on the matter, and that the president has pledged to source finances from development partners to establish a water supply plant that will draw water from the Mkulumadzi River to serve the entire district.
“We can assure people in Neno that these problems will be resolved soon. They will have access to clean and adequate potable water,” he said.
Mpinganjira disclosed that preparations for the proposed project started, saying the president had asked the SRWB to move with speed in addressing the water issue such that the board had in turn instructed its technical team to begin drawings and do cost estimates so that it should report back with an implementation budget.
He cited similar projects initiated through presidential intervention in Zalewa and Makanjira.
“When we told the president that Zalewa needed piped water, he provided funding, and works will commence next week as a contractor is already on site. The same happened in Makanjira in Mangochi, where a water project is almost complete,” Mpinganjira said, adding that the board was confident that in the next few months, it will embark on another high-tech project for Neno.
Neno Water Task Force Chairperson, Lemmie Banda, expressed gratitude over the SRWB’s quick response and tour of the district.
“It shows the board’s willingness to resolve the challenges, and we believe the issues will be completely solved,” Banda added.
Director of Planning and Development for Neno District Council, Charles Lomoni, appealed to SRWB to consider expanding services to more areas as part of the system upgrade.
“We are also requesting you to extend services to places like Zalewa, which has remained without piped water since its establishment as a trading centre. Communities there rely on the Shire River, boreholes, and unprotected sources,” he added.
CCAP Domasi Presbytery Youth Department launches Sports and Evangelism Tournament
By Evance Chisiano
Machinga, June 3, Mana: CCAP, Domasi Presbytery Youth Department launched sports and evangelism tournament at Machinga community ground where youths from presbytery’s six zones played football, netball, shared food and had Presbytery Clerk, Rev. Chikondi Banda and Evangelist Angelina Amosi of Chambalu CCAP preaching the word, calling on the youths to restore broken walls.
Domasi Presbytery Youth Chairperson, Promise Gondah said the Sports and Evangelism Tournament launch over the weekend was meant to encourage youths to actively participate in sporting activities within the presbytery’s six zones.
He added that winning teams at zone level will play final games on August 16 at Machinga Secondary School ground at Liwonde.
“The event was a success; we had all the team from six zones actively participating in football and netball. We had guest speakers, a role model and a guest of honour that spoke very well to the youths,” Gondah said.
Based on the book of Isaiah 58 verse 12, the two preachers called on the youths to be instrumental in building what had long been in ruins, building again on old foundations “to gain recognition as those that build and restore ruined structures” in their own respective congregations.
Guest of honour at the event, Lucius Pelani of Ferry CCAP encouraged the youths to work hard in school and those in business to strive to become economically self-reliant while serving their respective churches youth groups with dedication.
“Youths should live by the word; work hard in school considering that education is key. Those of you that are in business should work hard to remain successful and continue to be instrumental in your respective church youth groups,
Be in poultry farming or be in small and medium business enterprisers for you to become economically self-reliant while still serving the church,” he appealed to the youth.
The Sport and Evangelism Tournament launch also provided space for a youth role model, former Blantyre Synod Youth Chairperson, Diver Juta, to give motivation talk, telling the youths that nothing is impossible provided they stay focus to reach their goals and live by the goals.
“You should therefore avoid indulging in bad behaviours that can distract your focus on realizing your dreams. Don’t be afraid to face challenges. Be bold enough to face and overcome challenges in life and don’t resist positive change,” Juta who is an accountant by professional added.
More than 300 youths from six Domasi Presbytery zones plus youths around Machinga Boma attended the sports event at Machinga community ground under them: A youth called to restore the broken walls.
Domasi Presbytery has 46 main churches, 35 prayer houses and stretches from Naming’azi CCAP in Zomba to Ferry CCAP in Liwonde, further to Malape CCAP on Liwonde- Ntaja road.
The presbytery also goes as far as Kasonga on the foot of Zomba Mountain past the historical Domasi Mission and down to Lake Chilwa on Chisi Islands.
Malawi Rolls Out Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign
By Innocent Manda
Lilongwe, June 3, MANA: The Ministry of Health has rolled out a Measles-Rubella supplementary vaccination campaign across several districts in Malawi following a prolonged outbreak that has led to 653 confirmed cases and one death since it began in October 2024.
According to a press release by the Ministry, the campaign, which runs from 2 June to 6 June, 2025, is targeting children aged 9 months to 9 years in the districts of Lilongwe, Nkhotakota, Salima, Blantyre, Ntcheu, and Mangochi. In addition to the measles-rubella vaccine, children will also receive Vitamin A supplements as part of the initiative.
Secretary for Health, Dr Samson Mdolo stated in the statement that Measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause serious complications and urged the public to seek medical attention at the first signs of symptoms such as fever, facial rash, red itchy eyes, and a runny nose.
The Ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening routine immunization programs, especially in hard-to-reach areas, and called upon communities to actively participate in the campaign to protect children and prevent further spread of the disease.
Health expert George Jobe has commended the initiative, noting that the campaign will play a crucial role in reducing the risk of further outbreaks and protecting vulnerable children in high-risk districts.
“I wish parents, guardians, and the communities could strongly support and collaborate with the government in this fight.
“Only through joint effort can we ensure that no child is left behind and that measles is eliminated from our communities,” Jobe said.
Health authorities are conducting the campaign through a variety of channels including health facilities, schools, trading centres, and mobile outreach teams.
Court in Mzuzu grants Jappie Mhango bail
By Augustus Nkhwazi
Mzuzu, June 3, Mana: Principal Resident Magistrate Court in Mzuzu has granted bail to Jappie Mhango, former Cabinet Minister and current vice president for Democratic Progressive Party in the north who was arrested on Monday by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) over abuse of office.
In his bail ruling, Chief Resident Magistrate Godfrey Balaka said where major factors in granting an accused person bail are not disputed by the prosecution, denying such accused bail will not be in the interest of justice.
Among conditions Balaka outlined are that the accused makes a cash deposit of K1 million, provide two reliable surities bonded at K500, 000 each not cash, report to ACB offices once in every two weeks on Wednesdays and surrender his travel documents.
Mhango has been charged with two counts of abuse of office and giving false information to the Bureau contrary to section 25B (1) and giving false information to the Bureau contrary to section 14 (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act.
Earlier, Principal Legal and Prosecution Officer for the ACB Daniel Nyasulu told the court that the Bureau brought Mhango before court to formerly inform him of the reasons for his arrest.
Nyasulu however stated that the state is not ready with plea taking as there are some two more suspects in the same case who have not been arrested yet.
Mhango was arrested on Monday and spent a night at Mzuzu Police Station. He was moved earlier in morning to ACB offices where he was recorded caution statements before being brought before court later in the afternoon of Tuesday.
Minister impressed with rise in girl participation in the 2025 JCE Exam
By Zenak Matekenya
Dedza, June 3, Mana: Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima has attributed the 8.7 percent rise in female participation in this year’s Junior Certificate Education (JCE), to national commitment to ensuring equity and access to education for all.
Wirima made the remarks on Tuesday when she inspected the start of the 2025 JCE at Linthipe Secondary School and Nthulu Community Day Secondary School in Dedza district.
The minister, said the schools that government introduced under Secondary Education Expansion for Development (SEED) project to increase access to secondary education, for young Malawians especially girls, are materializing.
“We introduced 72 secondary schools under SEED project and most of them this is their maiden year to administer the exams. This is encouraging because we have noted an increase in girl’s participation in secondary education,” said the Minister.
Commenting on the development, Inkosi Kamenyagwaza 5 of Dedza commended the ministry of education for the efforts in promoting education mainly for girls.
He further said he deliberately ensured that all school going children in his area report for classes as a way of promoting Malawi2063 through education.
“The rise in number for the females sitting for exams this year is encouraging. Our target as an area here in Kamenyagwaza is to ensure that all learners continue with studies up to form four,” he said.
He said village development committees and village heads work hand in hand with schools by conducting periodic roll calls to ensure all leaners are in school.
“When they are not found at school, a follow up is made to know their where about, and child marriages are not entertained in the area,” he said.
He added that best performing learners are awarded with various materials including travel bags for those selected to national secondary schools.
Girl’s school dropout in Malawi is fueled by early marriages, long distances to schools and poor infrastructure among others.
A total of 166,123 candidates will sit for the JCE examinations nationwide this year, against a total of 154,504 last year.
Three men drown in separate incidents in Karonga
By George Mponda
Karonga, June 3, Mana; Three men have drowned in separate incidents in Lake Malawi in Karonga District, police have confirmed.
The deceased are Lowland Ng'ambi, 29, Jonas Mtawali, 32, and an unidentified adult male.
According to Karonga Police Station Public Relations Officer, Margret Msiska, Ng'ambi went to cast fishing nets on May 31, 2025.
He was last seen on June 1 when he returned to check his nets but did not come back. His body was later found floating near Gumi fishing dock around 5:30 a.m. on June 2 by a fisherman.
"On the same day, another body, believed to be of an unidentified adult male, was discovered in a decomposed state by a passerby near Israel fishing dock in Mwandovi Village.
“In a separate incident, Mtawali went fishing on May 30 with a companion when their boat capsized due to turbulent waters. While his friend was rescued by nearby fishermen, Mtawali went missing and his body was found on June 2 at around 9:00 a.m. floating in Lake Malawi," said Msiska.
Police detectives from Nyungwe, Chilumba, and Kaporo Police Stations, alongside medical personnel from their respective health centres, visited the scenes and postmortem results confirmed that all three died due to suffocation secondary to drowning.
Ng'ambi hailed from Mwakisenjere Village under Senior Chief Mwilang’ombe, while Mtawali came from Chakwera Village under Senior Chief Kilupula, both in Karonga District.
Msiska has since urged fishermen to take extra precautions.
“We are deeply saddened by these tragic incidents. We urge all fishermen and lake users to monitor weather conditions closely and prioritise safety before setting out on the lake. Such tragedies can be avoided with better awareness and preparation,” said Msiska.
Meanwhile, Police investigations are ongoing as efforts continue to identify the third victim.
