Ministry of Health Commends PACAM For Caring Over 3000 Children’s Through CPC Project

Jean Tauzie

The Ministry of Health has commended Palliative Care Association of Malawi (PACAM) for its several achievements made through a five year project, Children Palliative Care (CPC). The project has come to an end on 31^st March 2015 but since 2010, has reached out to over 3000 children that are suffering from life threatening illnesses (life limiting diseases) to access to a holistic care to ease their pain.

Through stakeholder’s meeting at the end of the project, several successes were revealed by the outgoing Project Coordinator Jean Tazuzie.

Tauzie said, for the past five years which DFID has been supporting the project CPC through PACAM has achieved its four objectives on advocacy, training, rights awareness and development of a policy for Children Palliative Care.

“Am happy to report that on Advocacy we have done a lot, we have made available various materials for advocacy, we met policy makers and provided an interface with children suffering from life limiting illnesses to voice out their problems.” She said

Jean Tauzie

“We have contributed in the making of the policy for Children Palliative Care (CPC), the policy is now being disseminated.  We have done rights awareness of both guardians and children themselves and we have also trained over 65 health care workers.” explained Tauzie

As the PACAM’s CPC project comes to an end, the outgoing Project Coordinator Jean Tauzie has also offered hope that PACAM is not stopping especially on conducting some of the activities that were being done in the CPC project.

“There are number of cases of chronic illnesses including sickle cell anemia, epilepsy, disability and cancer. Therefore as an organization of PACAM I understand children will never be alone. The project is phasing out yes, but PACAM is there to continue with some of the activities that we were doing in the CPC project” she assured

Jean Tauzie

With an aim of enhancing the life of children suffering from lifelong illnesses and relieve them from adverse pain, Children Palliative Care (CPC) project has been providing a range of medical services for free through three main Central Hospitals of Kamuzu, Mzuzu and Zomba. It has among others advocated for availability of medication that prevents occurrence of pain like morphine in such hospitals.

Ministry of Health Palliative Care Desk Officer Immaculate Kambiya said the ministry is impressed with tremendous achievements CPC project has made, saying the project has assisted Malawi government in helping children suffering from chronic illnesses to live a quality life.

She said as the project comes to an end, the Ministry is taking the up the role and add it in Ministry of Health Palliative care Programme so that the ministry reinvigorates such commendable achievements from where PACAM through CPC project has left.

“Ministry of Health is already implementing Palliative Care as a national programme. Since this programme is phasing out, as a ministry we will continue with the project.” Said Kambiya who assured of the continued success stories of the CPC issues as government will continue from its Central Hospitals where the PACAM’s CPC project was being implemented.

She said among the planned activities to reinvigorate the project are more trainings for the health care workers so that CPC services can be rolled out to district hospitals and be closer to the people for a wider reach as well as monitoring and evaluating what is already on the ground with the core of increasing access to CPC for all children in need of such services.

Kambiya further guaranteed that, Palliative Care initiatives have already been planned for in the Ministry of Health implementation plans and CPC was already incorporated as one of the programmes the ministry is to put into action at the national level.

President Mutharika Asks Tobacco Buyers to Give Fair Prices to Farmers

President Professor Peter Mutharika has asked tobacco buyers to give growers fair price as the market season kick start this Wednesday.

The Malawi leader was speaking at Kamuzu Palace on Tuesday evening during an audience with tobacco buyers where he stressed that he considered it necessary to hold meeting with them as the market season begins.

Before the meeting was held in camera, President Mutharika made two significant appeals. He asked tobacco buyers to give tobacco farmers fair price this year so that they benefit from their sweat, he also appealed to both buyers and seller the need to ensure that this year, should be a smooth market season.

President Mutharika hinted that the meeting was to discuss some challenges being faced by tobacco buyers and chart a way forward and looking at grey areas that surround  tobacco buying systems particularly on contract farming.

He spoke highly on the need to explore means of ending challenges that farmers are experiencing on contract farming especially on  Integrated Production System (IPS) which among others farmers are complaining that they do not have a bargaining power for their product.

President Mutharika however, stressed that "No matter what the system is used in the buying of tobacco" but  growers must have a fair price.

He also asked farmers to ensure that they bring high quality tobacco to the market floors and should refrain from practice of mixing tobacco with foreign objects as this may diminish the interest of buyers from buying their tobacco.

His excellency Mutharika also assured the stakeholders that Malawi government values them as key players in the tobacco sector. He further expressed government commitment to work with them and resolve all challenges in the tobacco sector.

Representative from tobacco buyers while thanking government for its positive approaches in the tobacco sector and pledging commitment to ensure that they grow their businesses together with farmers. They have also assured government that they shall remain true partner of Malawi government in the tobacco sector.

Among stakeholders that had an audience with President Mutharika includes, ARET, Alliance One, JTI, Malawi Leaf, TAMA and Limbe Leaf.

Kasambara Accuses State, DPP Office over Re-arrests of Some Accused Persons in Mphwiyo Shooting Case

Dauka Manondo& Robert Kadzuwa in handcuffs

Raphael Kasambara, one of the accused person in the case of Attempted murder of Malawi's former Budget Director, has accused government of making deliberate re-arrest of some of the accused persons.

Dauka Manondo one of the accused persons in the case of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder of Mr. Paul Mphwiyo was re-arrested few weeks ago on suspicion of wanting to kill witnesses and prosecutors and the state had also previously applied for the re-arrest of five accused persons currently on bail following state witness claims that they are being threatened by defendants.

But on Tuesday, a self represented lawyer Raphael in the case, Raphael Kasambara was prompted to express his anger when Judge presiding the case Justice Michael Mtambo had asked of whereabout of Dauka Manondo as he was not present in the dock.

Kasambara reacted by saying government is making deliberate re-arrests to some of the accused persons so that the public should have a negative view of the accused persons in this case.

He further called on state and office of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to stop such a gimmick game.

However, in reacting to Raphael Kasambara comment, DPP Mary Kachale said, police is making arrests of some of the accused following  independent police investigations and not from the influence of state or DPP office.

In related development as the court convined in the afternoon Kasambara had also accused state of not respecting the rights of two accused persons currently in police custody, Dauka Monondo and Robert Kadzuwa for not removing their handcuff up to the cour dock.

The two had their handcuffs removed when Kasambara had raised the matter before Justice Michael Mtambo. However the state denied of making any instruction to police of not removing the handcuffs of the two accused persons.

In the ongoing case, Raphael Kasambara, Pika and his brother Dauka Manondo, McDonald Kumwembe, Oswald Lutepo and Robert Kadzuwa are answering charges of Attempted murder and Conspiracy to commit murder of Former Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo who survived from three gunshots in September 13, 2013.

Since Tuesday morning the Lilongwe High Court continued hearing the cross examination of one of the state investigator  Superintendent Kankhwala Chilinda

Lawyer Wapona Kita was so inquisitive on issues sorounding authenticity of call logs that the  state brought in the court and his capacity to thoroughly investigate the issue surrounding Mphwiyo's shooting.

Christians of Malangalanga Ward From Msonkhamanja CCAP In Fundraising Event Towards Construction Projects At The Church

Christians from Malangalanga Ward of Msonkhamanja Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAP)   have set an example among their fellow Christians of how a self help church can finance development activities taking place within the church.

On Easter Monday, Malangalanga CCAP Ward organised as a fundraising event where they were trying to raise money over K200 thousand towards extension of Msonkhamanja Manse house and construction of class rooms for the catechumen and Sunday school children.

The Christians were on the day, selling various foods ranging from drinks, fruits, braai and other local traditional foods like Nsima and rice among others

 
The Nkhoma Synod of CCAP has since hailed Malangalanga Ward Christians of Msonkhamanja church for being keen and taking part in important projects taking place at their church. 

Moderator for Nkhoma Synod and Pastor for Msonkhamanja CCAP Rev Dr. Chatha Nsangayambe  says Malangalanga Christians have set a good example to other wards of the importance of commitment to support the church and giving to God. The Revered also described such self help activities as significant and remarkable at the same time “ a sign of a live church.

Rev. Dr. Chatha Nsingayambe

“As an ongoing church with a lot of activities, we have several projects, one of them is the extension of the Manse. That work we have already started and we just want to do completion, then we have construction of classes for Catechumen members for their weekly classes. These projects will cost us up to K8 million but we are targeting that in this first quarter of the year we should raise not less than K5 million and then it will be a continued project because after this we have plans to begin another project of construction of a hall with modern facilities where people can use it for conferences and wedding events” he said 

Japheth Dindi, Chairperson for the Fundraising Committee of Malangalanga Ward from Msonkhamanja CCAP Church explained that “We have decided to reaise money for the two projects happening at Msonkhamanja CCAP because our reverend has had  problems whenever visitors come to our church. We usually book hotels to put up our visitors. So we decided that all our visitors should put up at the Manse House."

Japheth Dindi

"The second problem is that we have lack of classes for our catechumen and Sunday school children, so we have decided to build the classes so that they should be learning under the shed in order to minimise incidences of class disruptions whenever it rains."

He went on, “This is why we are doing fundraising and we are hoping to raise not less than K200 thousand from this ward"

Govt Says No Plans to Introduce Public Hospital User Fees

Malawi Government has dispelled assertions that it intends to introduce user fees in public hospitals.

Minister of Health Honorable Dr. Jean Kalilani says government has no plans to introduce user fees in public hospitals and therefore the ongoing debate on the matter is just confusion of reforms being carried out by the Ministry particularly on  "Revitalizing Medical Insurance Schemes in the Country."

"Ministry of health is doing various reforms and one of the reforms is to revitalize Medical Insurance Schemes in the country. Our plans are to have as many people as possible and those that can

afford to be on a Medical Insurance scheme. This will ensure that all those with Medical Insurances can ably access fee paying Health Services across the country using their medical insurances. This will mean that people will have more options for accessing health services but also on the part of health service providers,

it will mean that there is an opportunity to decongest public hospitals as some people will opt for fee paying services whereby they will use their medical insurances."

"In this same proposal, we are also exploring possibility of extending fee paying sections in public facilities so that they work side by side with non paying sections. The idea is to have all those without medical insurance and preferring to access free services to continue accessing public health services free while for those with medical insurances and

preferring to access fee paying services sections

in public facilities be able to do so. This system is already in existence in all Central

Hospitals where they have fee paying services sections and what is being explored now is whether such fee paying services sections can also be rolled out to other public Hospitals." Explained Kalilani

She therefore said this is probably the area that has created some confusion

 among the general public

and some civil society groups. 

"I must say clearly here that we do not have any intentions to ask people to pay for health

services. Our proposal is to have more people on medical insurance and access paying services in public hospitals." Assured Kalilani

"We have observed the debates around this issue and we want to inform the

general public that any debate that ensues on user fees is invalid and may not

contribute to the final outcome of our proposed reforms."

The health minister further informed that, Department of Economics in Chancellor

 College in conjunction with the College of Medicine are analysing such aspect to gauge its efficacy and will be advising on what is possible and how best it can be done.

"Once they have concluded their work, there will be consultations on the subject

 matter with various stakeholder groups and once

the ideas have been refined

and agreed, the Ministry of Health will take up the matter with Cabinet to seek its endorsement and approval."

She alsi said a Bill will be prepared and get submitted to the National Assembly so that a specific law on Health Insurance can be debated and passed by the National Assembly and have it  implemented from July, 2016.

Other reforms that the ministry of health is conducting includes of establishing a Health Fund to support health service delivery in the country; Reviewing the current arrangement between the Ministry and Christian Health

Association of Malawi (CHAM) as the current Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) dates back to 2002 and; reforming Hospital Operations. 

Under Hospital Operation reforms, the ministry is considering ways of making all Central Hospitals autonomous and independent so that they have independent

oversight bodies in form of

Board of directors; to have management of District Health Services separated from the Management of District

Hospitals and; to have non-core services in public Hospitals delinked from core services of Hospitals so that

non-core services are run in partnership with Public Partnership (PPPs).

Dr. Kalilani has since emphasised that under the Hospital autonomy reform, the plan is to have representatives of the people participate in running of public hospitals while the Ministry of Health concentrates on its core business of providing policy guidance, setting standards and operating procedures, guidelines, supportive

supervision and other functions.

Malawi Artists Says Luciano Show Has Exposed Their Talent To The World

Born Africa Productions Promises More

 

Sallly Nyundo perfoming alongside Soul Raiders Band

Malawi artists are optimistic that their inclusion to perform in International shows especially the last week, Saturdays Luciano show in the Capital Lilongwe has exposed their talent to the world.

A renowned musician Lucius Banda says Luciano show has greatly added value to Malawi music and  talent as it is apparent that people from all corners of the world had patronised the event and spotted them.

“Luciano is a world class artist and surely we benefited a lot by sharing a stage with him.” He said, “People like those when they go to a country, don’t expect that the audience is to be from the host country only.”

He continued “So, the audience for Luciano show in Malawi was not only from Malawi, some traveled from Zambia, even Zimbabwe and some I hope came from Jamaica just to see him in Malawi.” He said, “By so doing, we are getting exposed to various people and that’s what every artist needs in Africa.”

Born Africa

Meanwhile, events coordinator for Born Afrikan Productions in Malawi Mphatso Chaluluka has promised that Born Afrikan Productions will continue supporting Malawi artists though exposing them in such international musical events.

However, Malawi  upcoming artists in reggae music were missing on the Luciano show, yet musicians who sing other types of genres but not reggae had performed on such event. On this issue, Chaluluka said “The question is, why is it that we will bring them next time. We will bring them because they are doing a good job.”

“Last time we included a lot of people including Malinga Mafia and what have you, but this time around we thought of including other artists that did not perform that December Show for Fantan Mojah because Born Africa Productions is here to make sure that Malawian music develops.”

He added “The theme for this show was Reggae Unites Festival, so we decided to take various artists to be on one stage jut to show that reggae really unites. But we really want the young ones and the next show we will definitely include them”

Limbani Banda Perfoming alongside Soul Raiders Band

The Malawi's Born Afrikan Events Coordinator has since thanked Malawians for coming to the Luciano show in large number. He has also promised that there is more to come from Born Afrikan Productions, “So far we are improving, Malawians are responding and it’s a positive feedback that we have got from Malawi.”

“Luciano was on point and he was in form. Am sure Malawians will accept that the guy had a great show.” said Chaluluka

“But we need more people to come next time, people should believe that Born Afrikan Productions is here to deliver. Next time we are bringing somebody else, it can be anybody, can be Sizzla or Morgan Heritage” he assured

Communique (Chilichonse chilindi nthawi fame)

On other issues Chaluluka said “There is room for improvement, there is a lot more we need to do; we have a big problem with security on the gates because as a lot of people are not prepared to pay for the show even though we started advertising months before the show. So, people should change that mentality. On our part we have some shortfalls as well, we need to fix especially on ticketing system but we are working on that.”

Chilima Joins St. Patrick, St. Ignacio, St. Thomas Christians in Suffering with Christ through Via Dolorosa... Hailed for Being With Fellow Christians

Malawi's Vice President hon. Saulos Claus Chilima this Friday has been together with Roman Catholic church, Area 18, St. Patrick, Area 30, St. Ignacio and Area 18, St. Thomas Anglican parish Christians in remembrance of precious gift of salvation and the price paid for it by the Lord Jesus Cross to Golgotha.

In a joint way of cross conducted by Christians from the three parishes, Chilima walked together with the devotion through some designated streets in Area 18 from St. Patrick catholic parish to St. Thomas Anglican church parish.

Being one of the devotees and in quest to experience Lord Jesus Passion, carrying a cross from the court of Pontius Pilate to the hill of Calvary, Chilima just like other devotees also at one of the fourteen stations had shouldered a cross which was being carried in front of the devotion. 

A Catholic christian from Area 18, St. Patrick parish, hon. Chilima also led the devotion the in reading of the Thirteenth Station where the devotion reflected moment the body of Lord Jesus  was taken down from the cross (the Deposition or Lamentation)

He was also chosen to lay wreath together with his wife.

Parish Priest for area 18 St. Thomas Anglican parish Fr. Francis Takilima had  at the end of the long procession for the passion of Christ, thanked  hon. Chilima for being humble and walk with the devotion regardless of the fact that he holds a high position in government.

"Throughout the journey from St. Patrick parish up to here,  we were asking ourselves if you would walk with us in that dusty road and finish together. But to our surprise we have finished the journey together. That is not a joke considering that you are holding the second a highest office of the land"

"We thank you for being with us from the start to the end." He said