Malawi health officials have raised concern over the underutilisation of the post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) drugs in the country, leading to huge amounts of the drugs expiring on the shelf.
PEP drugs are used to reduce the probability of infection after a person has been accidentally exposed to the risk of HIV infection.
They are, however, effective if taken within 70 hours from the time of exposure. National AIDS Commission (NAC) anti-retroviral therapy policy officer, Dr Adrina Mwansambo said the drugs were expiring because the would-be beneficiaries were either not aware of them or were afraid of discrimination and stigma since an exposed person was required to go for an HIV test before administering the drug.
"While other would-be beneficiaries are not aware of the availability of this facility, those that are in the know, like health workers, are afraid of being stigmatised after being tested positive," she said, explaining that PEP treatment was administered after a person had tested HIV negative.
"The treatment is only offered to individuals who are negative otherwise positive ones are counseled on the next course of action towards anti-retroviral therapy," she said.
Mwansambo said PEP has a success rate of 80 percent. Concurring with Mwansambo, an HIV officer in the Ministry of Health and Population, Amon Nkhata said it was important to sensitise people on the availability and use of the drug.
"This is a very important drug for rescue operators, the police, and in fact anybody who feels has been exposed to the virus," he said, adding that it was dangerous for sex miscreants to take advantage of the drug as if it was a vaccine.
"Once somebody gets used to the drug, the body gets resistant and this resistance can be transferred to other sexual partners leading to another resistance to ARV altogether," he warned.
PEP drugs are purchased by government together with ARV drugs. While statistics show that there had been a rapid scale up in the establishment of ART delivery centres across the country, it had been noted that PEP drugs were underutilised Information on the percentages by which PEP drugs were expiring in heath facilities is scanty.
"It is difficult to get the exact national figures because there was not standardised system for recording data by various health facilities," said Mwansambo.
She, however, said there was progress in standardising the system. "Hopefully it will be in place by the end of the year," she said.
Friday, 7 November 2008
Arena virus: Malawi man shows symptoms
A man presenting symptoms similar to viral haemorrhagic fever has been admitted to the Life Fourways Hospital in Johannesburg.
The South African citizen (55), who lives in Malawi, arrived at the hospital late on Thursday and was placed in an isolation unit as a precaution, said hospital spokeswoman Marietjie Shelly yesterday.
“He had a high temperature, severe abdominal and kidney pain, and vomiting. Initial blood tests gave no indication of internal bleeding,” she said.
The National Institute of Communicable Diseases has been told, she said. Scientists recently identified a new arena virus that killed four people in Johannesburg.
The South African citizen (55), who lives in Malawi, arrived at the hospital late on Thursday and was placed in an isolation unit as a precaution, said hospital spokeswoman Marietjie Shelly yesterday.
“He had a high temperature, severe abdominal and kidney pain, and vomiting. Initial blood tests gave no indication of internal bleeding,” she said.
The National Institute of Communicable Diseases has been told, she said. Scientists recently identified a new arena virus that killed four people in Johannesburg.
Malawi leads in ethanol export
Malawi is said to be leading the Southern African Development Community in the exportation of ethanol. The Ethanol company boss said the increase in exports follows the steady production of ethanol. Dan Liwimbi said his company had increased the production of ethanol to an average of about 25 percent.
Liwimbi said that Ethco has increased ethanol production to about 18 million litres since the company’s establishment, according to the Nation newspaper.
“Now about 50 percent of our annual production is blended with petrol on the market. The other half is produced as industrial or beverage which is also used locally,” he said, adding that this is mainly exported to East Africa.
According reports, the southern African country produces cane ethanol at two plants in Dwangwa in the central region and Chikwawa in the southern region. Malawi depends mainly on agriculture to raise its income.
Liwimbi said that Ethco has increased ethanol production to about 18 million litres since the company’s establishment, according to the Nation newspaper.
“Now about 50 percent of our annual production is blended with petrol on the market. The other half is produced as industrial or beverage which is also used locally,” he said, adding that this is mainly exported to East Africa.
According reports, the southern African country produces cane ethanol at two plants in Dwangwa in the central region and Chikwawa in the southern region. Malawi depends mainly on agriculture to raise its income.
Malawi media is full of praise for US elections
Malawi’s print and electronic media have urged the local and Africa’s press to reflect hard on Tuesday’s well-run US elections and try to emulate such a good example of a violent-free exercise.
According to the Nation newspaper, which carried a story on its front page headlined "It’s Obama!", Malawians should learn from the US polls.
The privately-owned paper noted that the US elections’ stakes were very high and yet there were no allegations of vote rigging or violence unlike the current conduct of African elections.
The daily added that in the US, when the results were announced, the loser (John McCain) bravely and graciously accepted defeat and urged his supporters under such emotional circumstances to support the winner (US President-elect Barack Obama).
"We believe that McCain has offered a very big lesson that all politicians, including those in office, that democracy should go with values," the Nation said.
The Daily Times, the country’s oldest newspaper, carried an article titled "US envoy talks on Obama impact on Malawi" where ambassador Peter Bodde expressed hope that aid flows from the US aid to Malawi would remain unaffected despite the election of Barack Obama as his country’s next president.
Private and public radios also hailed Obama for his victory and commended McCain for conceding defeat and congratulating the winner.
According to the Nation newspaper, which carried a story on its front page headlined "It’s Obama!", Malawians should learn from the US polls.
The privately-owned paper noted that the US elections’ stakes were very high and yet there were no allegations of vote rigging or violence unlike the current conduct of African elections.
The daily added that in the US, when the results were announced, the loser (John McCain) bravely and graciously accepted defeat and urged his supporters under such emotional circumstances to support the winner (US President-elect Barack Obama).
"We believe that McCain has offered a very big lesson that all politicians, including those in office, that democracy should go with values," the Nation said.
The Daily Times, the country’s oldest newspaper, carried an article titled "US envoy talks on Obama impact on Malawi" where ambassador Peter Bodde expressed hope that aid flows from the US aid to Malawi would remain unaffected despite the election of Barack Obama as his country’s next president.
Private and public radios also hailed Obama for his victory and commended McCain for conceding defeat and congratulating the winner.
Malawi: AIDS awareness receives boost
The third National HIV testing and counseling week has been slated for next week - November 10 onwards. This is in line with the Malawian government's promise to check the spread of the disease.
The national HTC week that was first introduced in the country in 2006, as a mobilization campaign to HIV Testing and Counseling services is this year expected to be conducted at over 800 sites with at least 25,000 people expected to test in the week.
Briefing the press in the capital, Lilongwe the Minister of Health Khumbo Chirwa said the government had made the initiative an annual event as it recognizes the benefits of knowing ones zero status.
"The benefits of knowing ones HIV status are now greater than at any point in time since HIV and AIDS pandemic was first diagnosed in the country in 1985,” he said.
He said HIV testing and counseling was the only way which gave government proper statistics of persons living with HIV enabling it to properly plan for its ambitious free Anti-retroviral programe.
The national HTC week that was first introduced in the country in 2006, as a mobilization campaign to HIV Testing and Counseling services is this year expected to be conducted at over 800 sites with at least 25,000 people expected to test in the week.
Briefing the press in the capital, Lilongwe the Minister of Health Khumbo Chirwa said the government had made the initiative an annual event as it recognizes the benefits of knowing ones zero status.
"The benefits of knowing ones HIV status are now greater than at any point in time since HIV and AIDS pandemic was first diagnosed in the country in 1985,” he said.
He said HIV testing and counseling was the only way which gave government proper statistics of persons living with HIV enabling it to properly plan for its ambitious free Anti-retroviral programe.
Malawi president sends Obama congratulatory message
Malawi President Bingu Wa Mutharika has conveyed his congratulatory message to US President-elect Barack Obama for his landslide victory in the USA’s just ended elections.
In his letter to Obama, Mutharika said his triumph was a victory not only for America but for Africa as well as the whole world.
"The victory shows that Obama has the potential to improve that country\’s social, political and economic prosperity," he said.
Mutharika referred Obama’s victory to the late preacher and civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. who dreamt that after the hurdles of slavery that Africa passed through to develop America, one day black people will take a lead in that country’s leadership.
"Here you (Obama) have fulfilled that dream."
In his letter to Obama, Mutharika said his triumph was a victory not only for America but for Africa as well as the whole world.
"The victory shows that Obama has the potential to improve that country\’s social, political and economic prosperity," he said.
Mutharika referred Obama’s victory to the late preacher and civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. who dreamt that after the hurdles of slavery that Africa passed through to develop America, one day black people will take a lead in that country’s leadership.
"Here you (Obama) have fulfilled that dream."
Rotary club backing water aid project in Malawi
PRESIDENT Paul Begley and five members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw were welcomed to the regular meeting of Carluke Rotary.
It was a purely social visit by Motherwell, but Carluke President Jim Speirs was pleased to announce that £500 had been disbursed to the Motherwell Club to assist them in their Well Wish project, aimed at refurbishing wells in the vicinity of Blantyre, Malawi.
Over the years, several well-intentioned projects have installed wells but have not followed through by providing training or spare parts to maintain the mechanics of the pumps.
This initiative intends to develop or repair existing wells and, thereafter, maintain a stock of spare parts plus provide training to local engineers who will, long term, provide the necessary regular servicing of the pumps. The project, covering a period of 10 years, will concentrate financial input during the first five years by getting the wells up and running.
During the meeting any doubts that members had that Allan Smith and Jim Speirs had abseiled down the ‘north face’ of the Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, were firmly dispelled when Tom McNicol showed a video of the sponsored escapade.
In driving rain and strong winds, both boldly went where they had never been before and they admit they are unlikely to go again. The event raised £10,000 for Mercy Ships.
In other business, President Jim Speirs reported the club had disbursed a further £3730 to local, national and international charities.
The recipients, apart from the previously-mentioned Well Wish project, were Stanmore House School, Stanmore House Residential and Respite, Victoria Park School, Friends of Guiding, Asthma Care Scotland and money for the purchase of two Shelter boxes.
Shelter Boxes are boxes that have items including a tent, water purification equipment and other basic items for survival held in store by Rotary International in Britain and Ireland (RIBI), for immediate despatch in times of disaster to any part of the world.
The Carluke curling team went out in the latest round of the Ram’s Head Trophy, spoiling an unbeaten run, having to forfeit their match to Lanark.
However, the team move forward in the Rotary League, in the next round they play against Strathaven at the East Kilbride Rink. Further items for the Support our Soldiers Christmas Appeal, handed in on the evening, will be forwarded to the organisers.
Carluke Rotary Clubs meets regularly on Mondays 6.15pm for 6.30pm at Cartland Bridge Hotel. For further information contact any member or visit www.carlukerotaryclub.org
WELL AID: members of Carluke Rotary Club have given support to Motherwell and Wishaw Rotary Club’s project to provide water aid and technical support to Malawi, Africa.
It was a purely social visit by Motherwell, but Carluke President Jim Speirs was pleased to announce that £500 had been disbursed to the Motherwell Club to assist them in their Well Wish project, aimed at refurbishing wells in the vicinity of Blantyre, Malawi.
Over the years, several well-intentioned projects have installed wells but have not followed through by providing training or spare parts to maintain the mechanics of the pumps.
This initiative intends to develop or repair existing wells and, thereafter, maintain a stock of spare parts plus provide training to local engineers who will, long term, provide the necessary regular servicing of the pumps. The project, covering a period of 10 years, will concentrate financial input during the first five years by getting the wells up and running.
During the meeting any doubts that members had that Allan Smith and Jim Speirs had abseiled down the ‘north face’ of the Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, were firmly dispelled when Tom McNicol showed a video of the sponsored escapade.
In driving rain and strong winds, both boldly went where they had never been before and they admit they are unlikely to go again. The event raised £10,000 for Mercy Ships.
In other business, President Jim Speirs reported the club had disbursed a further £3730 to local, national and international charities.
The recipients, apart from the previously-mentioned Well Wish project, were Stanmore House School, Stanmore House Residential and Respite, Victoria Park School, Friends of Guiding, Asthma Care Scotland and money for the purchase of two Shelter boxes.
Shelter Boxes are boxes that have items including a tent, water purification equipment and other basic items for survival held in store by Rotary International in Britain and Ireland (RIBI), for immediate despatch in times of disaster to any part of the world.
The Carluke curling team went out in the latest round of the Ram’s Head Trophy, spoiling an unbeaten run, having to forfeit their match to Lanark.
However, the team move forward in the Rotary League, in the next round they play against Strathaven at the East Kilbride Rink. Further items for the Support our Soldiers Christmas Appeal, handed in on the evening, will be forwarded to the organisers.
Carluke Rotary Clubs meets regularly on Mondays 6.15pm for 6.30pm at Cartland Bridge Hotel. For further information contact any member or visit www.carlukerotaryclub.org
WELL AID: members of Carluke Rotary Club have given support to Motherwell and Wishaw Rotary Club’s project to provide water aid and technical support to Malawi, Africa.
Rwanda/Togo: Country Calls Off Malawi Friendly, Opts for Togo
RWANDA football governing body, Ferwafa has called off the proposed international friendly game between Amavubi Stars and Malawi's Flames that had been scheduled for November 19.
Ferwafa Chief Executive Officer Jules Kalisa told Times Sport yesterday on phone from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso that Malawi was ruled out because Togo football federation had shown keen interest to play against Rwanda on the same date stipulated by FIFA as a date for international friendly matches.
"We made open invitations to various countries including Malawi but Togo made a positive response offering to pay all expenses our team while in Lome," Kalisa said.
Kalisa is in Ouagadougou where he accompanied the national U-17 side for tomorrow's African Youth U-17 Championships first leg third round tie against the hosts (Burkina Faso).
According to Malawi's Daily Times, the Malawi Football Association (FAM) Chief Executive Officer Charles Nyirenda said that Rwanda and Mozambique had made offers to play against them.
He said they were interested in both games because Mozambique was in the same group with Ivory Coast while Rwanda is an emerging footballing force.
Mozambique suggested that the game should be played in Tete in Maputo, the nation's capital while Rwanda made an open invitation for the game to be played either in Kigali or Malawi.
"Rwanda offered us to come here on condition that we should pay for their accommodation," he said.
But the soccer governing body had not yet made a commitment to either team until the government release funding for the association's programmes.
Libya, were the first to approach FAM for a possible friendly game with all expenses paid for.
Rwanda's archrivals Zambia was also one of the first countries to consider Malawi for friendly game. Malawi is in Group E together with Ivory Coast, Guinea and Burkina Faso.
Rwanda has been drawn against Egypt, Zambia and Algeria in Group C in which the top three teams would qualify for Angola 2010 Africa Cup of Nations while the group winners would book a ticket for 2010 World Cup.
Ferwafa Chief Executive Officer Jules Kalisa told Times Sport yesterday on phone from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso that Malawi was ruled out because Togo football federation had shown keen interest to play against Rwanda on the same date stipulated by FIFA as a date for international friendly matches.
"We made open invitations to various countries including Malawi but Togo made a positive response offering to pay all expenses our team while in Lome," Kalisa said.
Kalisa is in Ouagadougou where he accompanied the national U-17 side for tomorrow's African Youth U-17 Championships first leg third round tie against the hosts (Burkina Faso).
According to Malawi's Daily Times, the Malawi Football Association (FAM) Chief Executive Officer Charles Nyirenda said that Rwanda and Mozambique had made offers to play against them.
He said they were interested in both games because Mozambique was in the same group with Ivory Coast while Rwanda is an emerging footballing force.
Mozambique suggested that the game should be played in Tete in Maputo, the nation's capital while Rwanda made an open invitation for the game to be played either in Kigali or Malawi.
"Rwanda offered us to come here on condition that we should pay for their accommodation," he said.
But the soccer governing body had not yet made a commitment to either team until the government release funding for the association's programmes.
Libya, were the first to approach FAM for a possible friendly game with all expenses paid for.
Rwanda's archrivals Zambia was also one of the first countries to consider Malawi for friendly game. Malawi is in Group E together with Ivory Coast, Guinea and Burkina Faso.
Rwanda has been drawn against Egypt, Zambia and Algeria in Group C in which the top three teams would qualify for Angola 2010 Africa Cup of Nations while the group winners would book a ticket for 2010 World Cup.
Malawi trip opens students’ eyes
A dozen University of Lethbridge students had an eye-opening experience teaching people in southeast Africa about malaria through songs, dance and storytelling.
“I remember the little things like talking to these children. They would touch your hair because it was straight and look at the veins in your skin because a lot of them had never seen a white person before,” said Tiffany Tanabe, one of the students who spent almost a month in Malawi as part of a malaria prevention program between the university and Museums of Malawi.
The fourth-year nursing student was most impressed with a visit to the National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS, where she met a lot of people stricken by the disease.
Organizer Aaron Maluwa, education officer of the Museums of Malawi, was impressed by how quickly the Lethbridge students threw themselves into the project. Teams, bearing mosquito nets for the residents, went into rural areas to increase awareness about malaria prevention.
“The students learned a lot about poverty in Malawi,” Maluwa said, adding the program was about breaking down communication barriers.
Maluwa was in Lethbridge Thursday to spread word about the problems they face in Malawi including malaria and HIV/ AIDS.
The Lethbridge students focused on two high-risk target groups — pregnant women and children under five.
Malawi is a small country where four million people are packed into 118,000 square kilometres. It is a place where HIV/AIDS runs rampant, affecting a million people, with 70,000 having died from malaria.
About 60 per cent of the population can’t read or write and some 60 per cent live below the poverty line. Most communication is through dance, drama and song.
“Without all of (the university students’) support, we could not have done this,” Maluwa emphasized, adding the Malawians enjoyed the students so much they wish for their return.
“As soon as they got there they interacted with the people and started asking questions and started getting involved,” said Jean Harrowing.
The health studies professor, who accompanied the group, said the program started after Maluwa met the president of the Lethbridge HIV/AIDS Connection during anniversary celebrations at the Galt Museum last year.
“I think they learned a lot. A lot of them described it as a life-changing experience,” Harrowing said, adding discussions are already underway for a return trip to Malawi in 2010, this time with a likely focus on HIV/AIDS.
Galt Museum curator Wendy Aitkens was impressed the Museums of Malawi play such an important role in public education.
“I’m always intrigued by museums who have such a social conscience,” Aitkens said, adding the Galt plays a similar role of bringing in people to give first hand accounts for its exhibits.
“What I took away from it is that it (Museums of Malawi) are so much part of the social conscience of the country, that (it was unusual) for him to be talking about changing the culture. Most museums talk about preserving culture,” she said.
“I remember the little things like talking to these children. They would touch your hair because it was straight and look at the veins in your skin because a lot of them had never seen a white person before,” said Tiffany Tanabe, one of the students who spent almost a month in Malawi as part of a malaria prevention program between the university and Museums of Malawi.
The fourth-year nursing student was most impressed with a visit to the National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS, where she met a lot of people stricken by the disease.
Organizer Aaron Maluwa, education officer of the Museums of Malawi, was impressed by how quickly the Lethbridge students threw themselves into the project. Teams, bearing mosquito nets for the residents, went into rural areas to increase awareness about malaria prevention.
“The students learned a lot about poverty in Malawi,” Maluwa said, adding the program was about breaking down communication barriers.
Maluwa was in Lethbridge Thursday to spread word about the problems they face in Malawi including malaria and HIV/ AIDS.
The Lethbridge students focused on two high-risk target groups — pregnant women and children under five.
Malawi is a small country where four million people are packed into 118,000 square kilometres. It is a place where HIV/AIDS runs rampant, affecting a million people, with 70,000 having died from malaria.
About 60 per cent of the population can’t read or write and some 60 per cent live below the poverty line. Most communication is through dance, drama and song.
“Without all of (the university students’) support, we could not have done this,” Maluwa emphasized, adding the Malawians enjoyed the students so much they wish for their return.
“As soon as they got there they interacted with the people and started asking questions and started getting involved,” said Jean Harrowing.
The health studies professor, who accompanied the group, said the program started after Maluwa met the president of the Lethbridge HIV/AIDS Connection during anniversary celebrations at the Galt Museum last year.
“I think they learned a lot. A lot of them described it as a life-changing experience,” Harrowing said, adding discussions are already underway for a return trip to Malawi in 2010, this time with a likely focus on HIV/AIDS.
Galt Museum curator Wendy Aitkens was impressed the Museums of Malawi play such an important role in public education.
“I’m always intrigued by museums who have such a social conscience,” Aitkens said, adding the Galt plays a similar role of bringing in people to give first hand accounts for its exhibits.
“What I took away from it is that it (Museums of Malawi) are so much part of the social conscience of the country, that (it was unusual) for him to be talking about changing the culture. Most museums talk about preserving culture,” she said.
The Flames Regroup
November 19 is FIFA’s fixed date for friendly matches. It seems most national teams will take advantage of the day. The friendly matches will likely be very competitive considering that most professional players will take part in the friendly matches.
The Flames regroup next Monday in preparation for a friendly on November 19 versus either Mali, Togo, Sudan or Libya. There are also three other teams (including Zambia) that have expressed an interest in sizing up with the Flames.
Since the Flames are in the same group as Ivory Coast, Guinea and Burkina Faso preference should be given to West African Teams. I think a friendly against either Mali or Togo would be the most beneficial to Malawi. Mali are in the same region as Ivory Coast, Guinea and Burkina Faso. Though there is no positive correlation between region and type of play, teams coming from the same region may have played against each other quite a lot and sometimes their games ended in draws and sometimes one team would win today and the other one the next day and we may infer that they tend to play the same style. That is, if you believe that if A = B, and that B = C, then A must be equal to C.
Playing a friendly against a team from East or Central Africa wouldn’t be that beneficial to the Flames unless they just want to use it as a way of raising money (through gate collections) for the other friendly matches. Like I stated before in my post (NOW THAT YOU KNOW YOUR OPPONENTS, WHAT’S NEXT?) below, friendly matches should be meaningful. For instance, Tunisia will play a friendly against Ghana in Accra on November 19, 2008. Tunisia and Nigeria are in the same group. Ghana and Nigeria are fierce West African rivals. So, Tunisia’s friendly against Ghana makes a lot of sense.
Egypt and Zambia are in the same group. Though Tanzania and Zambia are from the same region, Egypt have chosen to play a friendly against Benin over Tanzania because Tanzania are a weaker team and pretty much, Benin, Zambia and Rwanda play same style.
If Algeria need to have a feel of Zambia they will need to play a friendly against Malawi. Considering that Malawi beat Egypt 1-0, if Algeria can beat Malawi in Blantyre by at least 3-0 we can extrapolate that Algeria will beat Egypt in Cairo. It seems I have touched a live wire here.
The Flames regroup next Monday in preparation for a friendly on November 19 versus either Mali, Togo, Sudan or Libya. There are also three other teams (including Zambia) that have expressed an interest in sizing up with the Flames.
Since the Flames are in the same group as Ivory Coast, Guinea and Burkina Faso preference should be given to West African Teams. I think a friendly against either Mali or Togo would be the most beneficial to Malawi. Mali are in the same region as Ivory Coast, Guinea and Burkina Faso. Though there is no positive correlation between region and type of play, teams coming from the same region may have played against each other quite a lot and sometimes their games ended in draws and sometimes one team would win today and the other one the next day and we may infer that they tend to play the same style. That is, if you believe that if A = B, and that B = C, then A must be equal to C.
Playing a friendly against a team from East or Central Africa wouldn’t be that beneficial to the Flames unless they just want to use it as a way of raising money (through gate collections) for the other friendly matches. Like I stated before in my post (NOW THAT YOU KNOW YOUR OPPONENTS, WHAT’S NEXT?) below, friendly matches should be meaningful. For instance, Tunisia will play a friendly against Ghana in Accra on November 19, 2008. Tunisia and Nigeria are in the same group. Ghana and Nigeria are fierce West African rivals. So, Tunisia’s friendly against Ghana makes a lot of sense.
Egypt and Zambia are in the same group. Though Tanzania and Zambia are from the same region, Egypt have chosen to play a friendly against Benin over Tanzania because Tanzania are a weaker team and pretty much, Benin, Zambia and Rwanda play same style.
If Algeria need to have a feel of Zambia they will need to play a friendly against Malawi. Considering that Malawi beat Egypt 1-0, if Algeria can beat Malawi in Blantyre by at least 3-0 we can extrapolate that Algeria will beat Egypt in Cairo. It seems I have touched a live wire here.
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