MEC opens bid for supply of COVID-19 protective materials

By Duncan Mlanjira Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is inviting sealed bids from eligible bidders for supply and delivery of COVID-19 personal protective materials ahead of the July 2 fresh presidential election. The materials include 100ml bottle hand sanitisers (367,000 of them); box of 50 surgical masks (81,800); box of 100 gloves (40,940); 500ml bottle with pump of liquid hand wash soap — anti bacterial (20,000); 175g tablet hand wash soap — anti bacterial (50,000); 20-litre plastic buckets with tap…

Read More

Over K3 million so far raised in Malawi UK Military Community COVID-19 fundraiser

By Duncan Mlanjira Over MK3 million (£3,200) has so far been raise halfway through the 7,000 miles challenge being undertaken by the Malawi UK Military Community (MUMCo) in order to raise £7,000 (over 7 million), to procure personal protective equipment (PPEs) for Malawi’s health workers in the frontline fight against the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The charity challenge, that started on May 4 and is due to be done throughout the month of May, has so far attracted 95…

Read More

Posted in Health, National, News Comments Off on Over K3 million so far raised in Malawi UK Military Community COVID-19 fundraiser
COVID-19 contributing to child labour in Ntcheu

By Maston Kaiya, MANA Ntcheu residents have expressed concern that since the closure of schools due to COVID-19 there has been an increase in child labour in the district. One resident, Effod Geza a lot of child labour issues is observed during market days at Mphate, Tsangano turnoff and Kampempuza markets where children are sent to sell various small scale business items. “When we ask the children, they say since schools are closed, their parents are sending them to…

Read More

Germany ambassador calls for more COVID-19 awareness in rural communities

By Dyson Kamwana, MANA Germany Ambassador to Malawi, Juergen Borsch has said the country needs to intensify awareness campaigns on COVID-19, especially targeting people living in rural areas. He said people in the rural communities lack access to clear and effective information on issues in public discussion. The remarks were made Tuesday when the Germany International Cooperation (GIZ) donated sanitary materials like buckets, hand washing soap and face masks as well as lessons on precautionary measures meant help curb…

Read More

Posted in Health, National, News Comments Off on Germany ambassador calls for more COVID-19 awareness in rural communities
Disheartening that political leaders defying same COVID-19 measures they advocate

Analysis by Duncan Mlanjira Since candidates presented their nomination papers last week to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), some of the strict measures — keeping social distance; avoiding mass gatherings and staying at home — that were set in declaring a State of Disaster, have been flouted as the candidates are organizing mass political rallies ahead of the July 2 fresh presidential elections. This utter disregard to the dangers associated with mass gatherings where infections can easily be passed…

Read More

Posted in Health, National, News, Politics Comments Off on Disheartening that political leaders defying same COVID-19 measures they advocate
Asian Business Community spends over K600m in the COVID-19 response initiative

By Duncan Mlanjira  Since its formation on March 26, just after President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika declared a State of Disaster on March 20 in view of the Coronavirus pandemic, Asian Business Community (ABC) COVID-19 Task Force has spent over K600 million towards assisting the government’s preventive response measures. This was disclosed on Monday by the ABC COVID-19 Task Force  chairperson Faizal Aboo at a press briefing at Hotel Victoria in Blantyre where the committee outlined some of the…

Read More

Posted in Health, National, News Comments Off on Asian Business Community spends over K600m in the COVID-19 response initiative
NICO Group boosts Kameza COVID-19 Isolation Centre with K22m worth of equipment

By Duncan Mlanjira In joining the fight against Coronavirus, NICO Group of companies on Monday donated 20 hospital beds, 20 mattresses, 20 oxygen units and 20 bedside trolleys worth K22 million to boost the services that is being provided at Kameza COVID-19 isolation centre in Blantyre. Eight of the beds are intensive care unit (ICU) hydraulic adjustable to cater for very serious cases. So far, Blantyre registered 16 cases, of which one died, five recovered and the other 10…

Read More

Posted in Health, National, News Comments Off on NICO Group boosts Kameza COVID-19 Isolation Centre with K22m worth of equipment
WHO’s 2020 Year of the Nurse and Midwife: Health professionals deserve thunderous standing ovation

By Dr Ahmed Mohiuddin Siddiqui The World Health Organization (WHO) designated 2020 as the year of the nurse and midwife when nothing was heard about the novel Coronavirus.  Even before the dreaded disease went on a rampage and claimed nearly 270,000 lives to date, the world acknowledged the commitment and diligence displayed by the nurses and the midwives all over the world. Now, with their zeal and passion to save human lives, the health professionals command our respect all…

Read More

Posted in Health, International, News Comments Off on WHO’s 2020 Year of the Nurse and Midwife: Health professionals deserve thunderous standing ovation
Ntcheu visually impaired people assisted with COVID-19 information in Braille

By Maston Kaiya, MANA Campaign for Health, Education, Sanitation and Hygiene (CAHESH) has donated COVID-19 Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials that are in Braille for visually impaired people in Ntcheu District on Friday. The donation included 120 braille and large print books, 60 hand washing buckets with taps, 10 cartons of soap and 200 leaflets amounting to K1.2 million. CAHESH Executive Director, MacDonald Kaluwa said his organisation observed that the visually impaired were not accommodated during Coronavirus message…

Read More

Posted in Health, National, News Comments Off on Ntcheu visually impaired people assisted with COVID-19 information in Braille
What will work for Africa in exiting lockdown

By Bacary Dabo & Juanita Williams, allAfrica.com It is estimated that one full month of lockdown across Africa during the COVID-19 outbreak costs the region about 2.5% of its annual GDP. But how do countries safely exit the lockdown phase?  Governments now have to grapple with how to move away from measures — whether partial or total — while continuing to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. Lockdowns cost Africa US$65 billion monthly, “but can you quantify life?…

Read More