Malawi aims to reach 2 million of its children with Vitamin A supplements and de-worming tablets in one of its major health campaigns to reduce child mortality.
The campaign has seen the government of Malawi mounting a task force of thousands of volunteers and heath surveillance personnel, to cover the country's 28 districts, whose task will be to deliver the health supplies as well as educating parents on preventive healthcare needs.
"It is not acceptable that we still have children dying from malaria, malnutrition, and diarrhoea. This has to end, " said Health Minister Khumbo Kachali at the official launch of the campaign this week.
Malawi has received international recognition in the last few years for its efforts to reduce under-five mortality, from 221 in 1990 to 120 in 2006.
However, according to the Malawi Micronutrient Survey, Vitamin A deficiency is prevalent in 59 per cent of pre-school children, facing a high risk of decreased resistance to illnesses, and are more likely to become blind or suffer from impaired performance in class and in sports.
"The Child Health Campaign is therefore a key strategy to increase the coverage of Vitamin A supplementation and reach every child with this important intervention," said UNICEF Representative in Malawi, Ms. Aida Girma, whose organisation is a key partner in the country's campaign.
In addition to Vitamin supplementation and deworming, the campaign will focus on behaviour change in areas, such as, infant and young child feeding, improved hygiene, and the use of insecticide treated bed nets.
Malawi is one of a handful of countries in sub-Saharan Africa that are on course to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of reducing under-five mortality by two-thirds. This campaign is seen as key strategy to reaching the MDG target by 2015.
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Official Intimidates Reporter Seeking Information On Police Action
On 7 June 2008, Machinga District Commissioner (DC) Lawrence Makonokaya mistreated Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) correspondent Wyford Banda. The incident occurred when the latter sought the DC's comments on the arrest of people involved in a fight with the police over participation in the Malawi Housing and Population Census. It took place at around 6:00 p.m. (local time) at the Ntaja police station, situated in the southern district of Machinga.
The group was arrested for beating enumerators of the ongoing Malawi Population and Housing Census, claiming that the DC's office had not followed due process in engaging the enumerators.
According to Banda, Makonokaya aggressively shoved him around in the presence of Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Ellock Maotcha Banda, who is also a Member of Parliament for the area, and other police officers. Banda said the DC also intimidated him the following day, asking why Banda had reported the matter to ZBS management instead of sorting out the issue between the two of them.
Makonokaya claims he only held Banda by the shoulder and asked him to contact him later as he did not have information readily available. He confirmed asking Banda why he reported the matter to his employers, adding that he has since banned the correspondent from seeking information from his office.
MISA-Malawi condemns Makonokaya's conduct. MISA-Malawi's national director, Innocent Chitosi, said Makonokaya's behaviour does not befit a public officer. He also said Makonokaya is just a custodian of information and therefore has no right to determine who is entitled to receive it.
On 2 June 2008, a group of men and women marched to the DC's office and presented a petition, condemning what it termed as corrupt practices involving census preparations in the district. According to the petition, the DC had insulted qualified individuals in the district by citing a high illiteracy rate as one of the reasons why people from other districts were hired as enumerators for Machinga district.
The group was arrested for beating enumerators of the ongoing Malawi Population and Housing Census, claiming that the DC's office had not followed due process in engaging the enumerators.
According to Banda, Makonokaya aggressively shoved him around in the presence of Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Ellock Maotcha Banda, who is also a Member of Parliament for the area, and other police officers. Banda said the DC also intimidated him the following day, asking why Banda had reported the matter to ZBS management instead of sorting out the issue between the two of them.
Makonokaya claims he only held Banda by the shoulder and asked him to contact him later as he did not have information readily available. He confirmed asking Banda why he reported the matter to his employers, adding that he has since banned the correspondent from seeking information from his office.
MISA-Malawi condemns Makonokaya's conduct. MISA-Malawi's national director, Innocent Chitosi, said Makonokaya's behaviour does not befit a public officer. He also said Makonokaya is just a custodian of information and therefore has no right to determine who is entitled to receive it.
On 2 June 2008, a group of men and women marched to the DC's office and presented a petition, condemning what it termed as corrupt practices involving census preparations in the district. According to the petition, the DC had insulted qualified individuals in the district by citing a high illiteracy rate as one of the reasons why people from other districts were hired as enumerators for Machinga district.
Pupils set for Malawi trip
Pupils from Holyrood Secondary School in Glasgow are set to travel to Malawi to help the local community in the Zingwangwa area of Blantyre.
The group will build three classrooms at one of Holyrood's partner schools which has a roll of 6,500 pupils.
During their trip to Malawi the group will also work with parents to help refurbish part of Zinwangwa primary.
The group will build three classrooms at one of Holyrood's partner schools which has a roll of 6,500 pupils.
During their trip to Malawi the group will also work with parents to help refurbish part of Zinwangwa primary.
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