Health Sector Needs Urgent Solutions

Civil Society Organizations, Health Professional Associations and Patients Interest Groups says Government should not hesitate to solve number of problems facing the health sector at the moment.

This was said following the petition delivered to the National Assembly on Friday through Chair person for the Health Committee of Parliament, Juliana Lunguzi.

The Groups says most Health sector services are crippled which are causing leading to the poor quality services to the patients.

Gift Trapence, executive director for Cedep who is one of the nine signatories for the petition said the solutions in the health sector are needed now.

The petitioners observe that Malawi continue to struggle in its quest to provide free health services but gains supposed to accrue to average Malawian continue being eroded due to challenges in drugs and medical supplies availability coupled with inadequate funding for the health sector.

  

They therefore asked the National Assembly to intervene to the current situation and on the adequate National Budget allocation to the health sector.

"We are concerned with the significantly reduced Other Recurrent Transactions (ORT) allocation from K16.5 billion in 2014/2015 national budget to K12. 7 billion in 2015/2016 financial year.

This has affected the capacity of Ministry of Health to meet its obligations of ensuring quality care for all Malawians. District and Central Hospital received lowest allocation in recent years at 4.7% of the total of health sector budget leading to failure to settle water and electricity bills, stoppage of locum services, inadequate food for patients, challenges in referrals and failure to maintain equipment. There are no functional x-ray machines" reads petition

The petition adds: "We are concerned with Government failure to effectively address challenges surrounding drugs such as unavailability of drugs due to limited funding, drug pilferage and leakage, leading to low performance of curative services"

Among recommendations made in the petition includes increased national budget allocation to health of 15% of the total expenditure in order to meet Abuja Declaration to which Malawi is signatory.

It is also requesting Treasury to revise upwards the the ORT allocation to the sector and speedy process in the consultations on health financing including user fees as an option to sustainably finance the health sector. 

Malawi Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV AIDS (MANERERA+), Centre for Development of People (CEDEP), National Organization of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi (NONM), Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), Pharmaceutical Society of Malawi, Medical Doctor's Union, Patient and Community Welfare Foundation, Radiographers Association and Paramedics and Allied Health Workers are the signatories to the petition.

Mkwezalamba Says HRCC, Anti-NAC Gate CSOs Gave Him Go Ahead To Represent CSOs When BEAM Well Wishers Refunded K5m to NAC

Mkwezalamba Says HRCC, Anti-NAC Gate CSOs Gave Him Go Ahead To Represent CSOs When BEAM Well Wishers Refunded K5m to NAC

A human rights activists and Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) executive director Robert Mkwezalamba says had a go ahead from his institution and from some of the Anti-NAC Gate CSOs to represent CSOs when concerned business person ‘well wishers of First Lady’s Beautify Malawi Trust (BAM) asked for his presence at an event of returning K5 million to NAC.

Five Anti-NAC Gate CSOs demanding refund of NAC money dubiously accessed by BEAM and Mulhakho Wa Alhomwe, recently disowned Mkwezalamba and Billy Mayaya as their preventatives at the event saying the two were present on their personal capacity as they are not part and parcel of the fight to see BEAM and Mulhakho to refund NAC money adding that even their presence at the event was not justifiable.

“We have learnt with great shock the recent acts of two activists Mr Billy Mayaya and Mr Robert Mkwezalamba who masqueraded as our representatives (ANTI-NACGATE CSOs representatives) at a BEAM/ DPP regime’s orchestrated “public display” of K5, 000,000.00 under the guise of “well-wishers”.  The two have never been, and are not part and parcel of this ANTI-NACGATE struggle being championed by CHRR, Cedep, MANERELA, MANET + and MHEN on behalf of aggrieved Malawians who are desperately waiting for the return of the money meant for HIV and AIDS activities.” Reads the communication from Makhumbo Munthali a Human Rights Advocacy and Resource Mobilisation Coordinator for Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR)

The communication added “As such, we would like to categorically dissociate ourselves from any act indulged by the two earlier this week, and that whatever they did was not representative of us.” Said Munthali adding “It was out of their own personal interest, -or perhaps under the influence of a “hidden big hand” to manipulate public’s opinion or trap us.”

But speaking in an interview Mkwezalamba says he made consultation before attending the event and is surprised that CSOs have changed the tune but said if they find fault in his presence at the event then the best way to raise the matter would have been using proper procedure than attacking personalities.

 “Basically as HRCC is a network organization of over 90 civil society organizations on various rights of individuals including some of the organizations that are demanding BEAM and Mulhakho to return NAC money, so when we were informed by Mr. Chinsinga (Barnett Chinsinga leader of concerned business persons) who contacted my office and said they want to do something for BEAM, I consulted my office and said it was in order. Then I shared the information with some of the five CSOs that are advocating for BEAM to refund the money and this is CEDEP and MHEN through their executive directors Gift Trapence and Martha Kwataine (respectively) they all accepted and said this is good news and we are going to attend the function.” He explained

“On the day, they called me in the morning they said due to security reason for fear that DPP supporters would be present, they are not ready to attend the function but they gave me a go ahead to proceed to sit to preside over the function and I did on that behalf on that basis.”

But reacting to disowning remarks Mkwezalamba said “I think as a leader and as a mature civil society activists, human rights activist, I wouldn’t want us to start fighting over this.”

“The issue should be about BEAM. Has the money been paid back? Are they satisfied or not? Are they proceeding or not? Those should be the issues, but as to why I was there or whether it was right or not wrong for me to be there, as HRCC we have our own internal structures that they can raise those issues for now we came in as HRCC to assist in the process.”

               

He added that he would want to see BEAM and Anti-NAC Gate CSOs sitting around the table and settle differences if any to the interest of Malawians and but put aside disowning issues and attacking personalities.

According to the communication from Munthali says Mkwezalamba and Mayaya presence that the event was not justifiable and claim that “there is more than what can meet the eye, and it would be naïve of us to completely rule out the possibility of the two being part of the BEAM/DPP’s regime orchestrated network of cadres who are hell-bent at thwarting the public crusade aimed at coming to the bottom of NACGATE. Their actions are suspicious.”

Currently CSOs maintains that neither Mulhakho Wa Alhomwe nor BEAM trust has refunded the money, as such demonstrations to press for their refund of money remain intact on 13^th January 2015, in all cities and in some selected number of districts across the country.

CSOs Angered By Pres. Mutharika Defensive Remarks at Children Christmas Party

CSOs Angered By Pres. Mutharika Defensive Remarks at Children Christmas Party

The five Civil Society Organissations (CSOs) Manet+Manelera+ MEHEN, CEDEP and CHRR are not at ease with President Professor Peter Mutharika’s recent remarks that rebuke his critics who may attempt to probe where he outsourced money used for hosting First Couples Christmas party with children from around Lilongwe on Wednesday 17^th December 2014 at Kamuzu Palace.

In a quest to inform the nation that he hosted the children Christmas party using his own together with first lady and well wishers money, President Peter Mutharika is on record cautioning any attempt to find fault from the party particularly probe where the money was sourced and make some protests out of it.

CSOs view this as direct attack to human rights activists that have vehemently vow to go on with plans for national demonstrations demanding (organizations not strategically placed in national HIV and AIDS response) First Lady’s initiative Beautify Malawi Trust (BEAM) and his tribe grouping Mulhako Wa Alhomwe to repay back the national HIV and AIDS response funds they access through dubious means from National Aids Commission (NAC).

In their statement confirming steady to go on with January 13^th 2015 demonstrations presented to the media over the weekend, CSOs have questioned motive of President Peter Mutharika’s defensive remarks on accountability of his money used for hosting the party and any attempt to make demonstrations.

In the manner the president presented the caution, CSOs suspect that the president had a hand in the recent NAC incident. CSOs are also accusing President Mutharika’s silence and failure to condemn the incident or calling for a swift investigations, “For no doubt the President’s “silence” on the matter is making a lot of noise, and to a greater extent his silence may be implied as consent to the malpractice.” Said Timoty Mtambo CHRR executive director who was together with Gift Trapence Executve director for Cedep, representing other three CSOs

 “Why is it that the DPP’s regime seemed to be more concerned or angry with the saga than even the implicated BEAM Trust and Mulhakho Wa Alhomwe?” asked Mtambo

“Why the panic? Is there something the DPP’ regime is hiding to the country on its possible role in NACGATE? If the whole of the President can stand up and say “I don’t want mawa somebody nkumati fwee fwee fwee ndipanga demonstrations and so forth there is no government money here involved”, in front of children,” Mtambo said adding that even such words were not palatable for the children at the event

“For any possible intentions by his critics to poke their nose into the source of funds for the children’s party in a context or a background of NACGATE and that the only demonstrations being talked about which are as a result of misuse of public funds are the ones related to NACGATE, then we should all be suspicious and question why the President is uttering such and his possible link to NACGATE saga? Why the guilt and anger?” said CHRR executive director

Taking his turn Cedep executive director Gift Trapence also expressed CSOs dismay on “worrisome” arguments being advanced by some executive board members of BEAM Trust who in support of NAC gesture in releasing funds to Beatify Malawi Trust (BEAM) and their position that BEAM cannot return the money are also contradicting with clarification made by NAC.

Trapence also query Mr. Maxwell Matewere a Vice Chairperson of CONGOMA and board member of First Lady Gertrude Mutharika’s BEAM Trust, if his arguments supporting NAC gesture and calling nationwide demonstrations ‘a rushed one’ were spoken on behalf of CONGOMA as a result of consultative process with members or a board member of BEAM.

Similarly, the statement by CSOs, also accuse Malawi Interfaith and Aids Alliance (MIAA) Robert Ngaiyaye for making a sweeping argument for reasons not known.

It further accuses Mr. Mavuto Bamusi (President Peter Mutharika’s Advisor on NGOs and board member of First Lady’s BEAM Trust) for alleging that CSOs are jealousy of BEAM trust and are politically motivated therefore BEAM cannot refund the money, and the CSOs should go ahead with the planned demonstrations. CSOs statement maintains that Mr. Bamusi was supposed to advise the President on the negative implications of using HIV and AIDS funds for unrelated activities.

Anti-NAC Gate Demonstrations Ready-CSO’s

'if restitution is made within the period, demonstrations will be called off' Anti-NAC Gate CSO’s

Five Civil Society Organisations demanding First Lady’s BEAM Trust and Mulhakho Wa Lhomwe to refund National Aids Commission (NAC) funds says their planned national wide demonstrations are ready on 13 January 2015, but can call them off once the involved institutions return the money before actual day of demonstrations.

BEAM Trust and Mulhakho Wa Lhomwe whose work is not directly involved in fight against HIV and AIDS are reported to have accessed NAC funds up to MK5 Million and MK9.4 Million respectively through dubious means.

However NAC maintains stand that it did not grant any money to Beautify Malawi but rather participated in the Beautify Malawi launch activities through buying dinner tables for stakeholders and advertising during the launch. And as a cultural grouping, Muhlakho wa Ahlomwe was supported through high level advocacy activities for HIV and AIDS issues.

It also set record straight that “the existing sub granting procedures provide for multiple channels of financing that include both solicited grant recipient organizations as well as demand driven applications.”

Board members for BEAM Trust have also accused CSOs for making demands on the matter out of jealousy.

But Manet+, Manelera+, Malawi Health Equity Network (MEHN), Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR0 and Centre for Development of People (CEDEP) in a statement released on Friday confirm that the day to hold demonstration is set and preparations are underway.

The joint letter bearing signatures of executive directors Safari Mbewe (MANET+), Martha Kwataine (MHEN), MacDonald Sembereka (MANERELA+), Gift Trapence (CEDEP) and Timothy Mtambo (CHRR) gives condition that if these institutions repay the money within the period, demonstrations will be called off because intention is not to do the demonstrations but making sure that the funds are paid back to NAC.

CSOs insist that “government and its agents” used their power to influence NAC to release the money while holding its dagger. They also believe that NAC clarification on this abuse of funds is a “big joke” but an attempt to shield the involved institutions from the scandal “NAC statement did not manage to address any of our concerns, if truth be told” maintains CSOs in the statement

“It is in light of the foregoing that the CSOs under the anti Nac-gate banner have stuck to our plans to stage nationwide protests on 13the January, 2014. The CSOs are more determined than ever to offer the public the platform to exercise their freedom of assembly and expression in demanding the two institutions in question to refund the NAC money, and also call for the current regime address the prevailing economic and political woes which are inhibiting Malawians from fully enjoying their human rights” reads the statement

Timothy Mtambo (CHRR0 and Gift Trapence (Cedep) told journalists in Lilongwe Friday evening that their petition is being worked on and it sets time frame of every demand and vows not to rest until restitution in full amount of the money is made.

Timothy Mtambo: We are making progress 

CHRR executive Director Timothy Mtambo said the demonstrations progress are making strides and come that day people will hold demonstrations in exercising their rights.

Gift Trapence: We will use other avenues if
our petition demands are not ment

Cedep Executive Director said “We have started the announcements, we just want to remind Malawians that this is a national demonstrations but as well that will have subsequent announcements of designated routs and districts where demonstrations will be.”

“We have a petition that we have written that we want to submit to government to make sure that they are able to comply to the demands of that petition.” He said

He made it clear that if it happens that government fail to comply to the demands by not forcing its agents (BEAM and Mulhako) to repay the money, CSOs will use other avenues “One is to do more demonstrations, but as well we will also use courts to make sure that these institutions have paid back the money.”

He noted that though court staff are on strike but once are open CSOs will “mobilize Malawians” to sue such institutions as well as NAC Board for flouting procedure of accessing NAC funds, “Even if at our local level in terms of courts system we are not helped we have so many international instruments that we can use to force these institutions to pay back the money.”

At first CSOs issued a seven day line for NIB, BEAM and Mlhakho wa Alhomwe  to repay back the money which they did not honor and upon expiry the CSOs announced January 13^th 2015 as a day to hold peaceful demonstrations. In light of these CSOs says they have still given the said institutions “so many days” to repay the money.