Nthanda Times

Day: May 28, 2023

  • Malawi, Zimbabwe hold JPCC session

    Zimbabwe’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador James Manzou has called upon the governments of Malawi and Zimbabwe to remain committed to the implementation of Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) signed between the two countries in order to ensure success.  

    He was speaking Sunday at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe during the official opening of the 11th session of the Malawi-Zimbabwe Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPCC). 

    The meeting, expected to end on Tuesday, is being held ahead of a three-day state visit to Malawi of Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

    Mnangagwa is expected to visit Malawi from May 31, to June 2, 2023.

    Manzou said there has been good progress in the cooperation as evidenced by the implementation of various MoUs but observed more needs to be done. 

    Ambassador J.Manzou, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade for the Republic of Zimbabwe states that the trade between the two countries will create more opportunities

    “While it is important to point out and highlight areas where we have made progress, we must also reflect on areas where we have failed to move forward.

    “Under the economic cluster, we still await progress in the negotiation of agreements in cooperation in agriculture and mining; two very important pillars in the economies of our countries,” he said.

    Manzou said since the resuscitation of the Zimbabwe-Malawi JPCC, more than 20 agreements and MoUs have been exchanged. However, most of these legal instruments have not been finalised.

    “In this regard, there is need to conclude these instruments of bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of the people of our two countries,” he said.

    Malawi’s Principal Secretary responsible for Legal in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mary Kachale said there is need to critically examine the progress achieved in the implementation of the MoU and commitments made at the 10th session of the JPCC held in Harare, Zimbabwe in 2020. 

    Principal Secretary – Legal, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mary Kachale emphasises on the importance- pic by Carol Mkandawire

    “I believe that having a result oriented approach and practical timeframes will enable us make mileage in deriving benefits out of these engagements for sustainable social economic growth that will benefit the people of our two nations,” she said.

    According to Kachale, the two countries will further deliberate on various areas of cooperation which will include, trade, information, agriculture and economy, among others. 

  • NTLEP scale up efforts to fight TB, leprosy in hard-to-reach areas

    National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Elimination Programme (NTLEP) has scaled up efforts to fight Tuberculosis (TB) and Leprosy in hard-to-reach areas as one way of bringing the services close to the people. 

    TB/HIV Programmes Officer for NTLEP, Henry Kanyerere announced this during an interview on Friday on the sidelines of a three-day media tour to appreciate efforts being undertaken to fight TB and Leprosy across the country.  

    He said NTLEP has intensified efforts in TB fight in hard-to-reach communities by engaging volunteers into community sputum collection from their areas to their nearest health centres as one way of bringing services close to people.

    “We have established community sputum collection points in hard-to-reach areas as well as introduction of mobile vans to intensify the TB fight in areas like Nsanje District, among other areas. 

    “We have also come up with community diagnostic centres as well as treatment centres in most hard-to-reach areas to ensure that we bring TB and Leprosy services close to where people are,” said Kanyerere.

    Senior Medical Officer responsible for TB at Rumphi District Hospital, Dr Alicy Khonje said TB fight is going on well and through initiatives such as community sputum collection points as well as screening they have managed to register 81 percent success rate.

    “So far as of 2022 we registered about 78 patients and out of them we have a treatment success of 81 percent against the national figures of 90 percent. Therefore, looking at where we are coming from as a district, this is an achievement.

    A TB patient receiving treatment right at home PIC Leonard Masauli MANA

    “We have gene expert machine for screening TB which is small and takes time to produce results. We need at least a bigger machine to help us improve on case finding. We also need more treatment sites because we have only 12 which are not enough against a population of 450,000,” said Khonje.

    District TB Officer for Karonga, Henry Nyirenda said the fight against TB in the district is on the right path and through various initiatives they have managed to reach 90 percent treatment success rate in 2022 which is far above the national target.

    “In the first quarter of this year we have notified about 115 TB cases and we are so far around 87 percent success rate which also shows that by the end of the year we will also beat targets,” said Nyirenda.

    Nyirenda hailed the coordination among various departments at the hospital as well as the support from NTLEP through a project called Southern Africa TB and Health System Support which he said is very instrumental behinds the TB fight in the district.

    He said the project supports screening of TB in high-risk populations such as in mining, prisons and other high-density areas.

  • Madam Chakwera challenges stakeholders to find solutions for addressing inequalities

    First Lady Madam Monica Chakwera has challenged stakeholders to find lasting solutions for addressing gender inequalities in Malawi.

    Chakwera was speaking on Friday night in Lilongwe when she presided over the book launch written by Dr Phoebe Chifungo titled “Let my People Go.”

    She said women and girls have been facing a lot of challenges compared to their male counterparts.

    Chakwera: Men and women have been facing many challenges

    “Let us practice equality at homes, churches, workplaces as well as in communities in order to achieve gender equality,” she said.

    Madam Chakwera encouraged church leaders, academia, policy makers to use the newly launched book as a guidance to empower women and girls at all levels.

    Phoebe Chifungo newly launched book

    The Author of the book, Dr Phoebe Chifungo her book is a collection of essays from the bible that explore the challenges faced by women and girls in Malawi and the world.

    “Women are not supposed to be oppressed by men, the church and the state. There is a new vision of liberation for women that is based on justice, equality and dignity,” she said.

    “Let My People Go,” is a powerful and important book that explains the role of women in the society.

  • Male, female TB patients share ward at Ntcheu District Hospital

    Male and female tuberculosis (TB) patients are sharing a ward at Ntcheu District Hospital, a situation that the hospital ombudsman, Beatrice Chimwala, says is compromising the patients privacy.

    Chimwala told reporters during a two-day media tour organized by National TB and Leprosy Elimination Program (NTLEP) that patients use one ward, which is demarcated by curtains.

    “Many patients both male and female admitted in the ward lose confidence as it is not common to share wards though curtains are used to separate them,” she said.

    Chimwala said other wards are well separated but it is only the TB ward adding the complaint has been reported to the relevant officials to solve the problem so that there can be two separate wards for female and male.

    According to her, in terms of treatment and care, the hospital has not received any complaint from TB patients.

    Assistant District TB Coordinator, Lameck Kanjika said despite few challenges faced at the  hospital,  there has been good progress in the fight against the disease.

    Assistant District TB Coordinator Lameck Kanjika

    Last year on average, he said, the district had over 100 TB cases while in the first quarter of 2023, they diagnosed 149 cases.

    “To us it is a great achievement because we are able to detect cases both in the communities and at the hospital,” he said.

    Kanjika added that with the treatment success rate, the district has done well at 90 per cent compared to previous rates which were at 80 per cent.

    According to him, during last year, out of 104 cases recorded, 94 got cured from TB.

    Kanjika added that the use of volunteers, Gene Xpert machines and opening of additional sputum point collection points has enabled the district to register success.

  • Insights into the Inner Workings of Artificial Intelligence

    In the vast expanse of the cosmos, humanity has always been driven by an insatiable curiosity to unravel the mysteries of the universe. Science, innovation, and space exploration stand as the pillars of our progress, propelling us into a future filled with endless possibilities. In this blog article, we delve into the thrilling world where these three elements converge, shaping the way we perceive the universe and revolutionizing the world we live in.

    Innovation, the practical application of creative ideas, bridges the gap between knowledge and tangible solutions. In recent years, innovations such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy sources, and advanced healthcare systems have reshaped societies, offering glimpses into a future where the impossible becomes attainable.

    Gadgets: Bridging the Gap Between Science and Society

    Gadgets, the everyday marvels that shape our lives, bridge the gap between scientific discoveries and society. From smartphones and wearable devices to smart home appliances and virtual reality headsets, gadgets have become an integral part of modern existence. These devices not only facilitate communication and entertainment but also serve as essential tools for scientific research and space exploration.

    Imagine a world where space tourism is as accessible as a plane ticket, where innovative gadgets enable us to explore the farthest reaches of the universe from the comfort of our homes. Picture a future where sustainable technologies mitigate the impact of climate change and preserve our planet for generations to come. This vision of the future is not a distant dream but a tangible reality on the horizon, waiting to be shaped by the brilliant minds and innovative spirit of humanity.

    Innovation: Transforming Ideas into Reality

    • Problem-Solving: Innovation is not just about inventing new gadgets or technologies; it is primarily about creative problem-solving. Innovators identify existing challenges and develop novel solutions to address them.
    • Interdisciplinary Approach: Innovation flourishes when diverse minds collaborate and share their expertise. It thrives on interdisciplinary approaches that bring together individuals from various fields such as science, engineering, design, and business.
    • Continuous Improvement: Innovation is a dynamic and ongoing process that demands adaptability and a willingness to embrace change. Successful innovators understand the importance of continuous improvement.

    As the world becomes increasingly aware of environmental issues, technology developers are focusing on creating gadgets that are not only advanced but also environmentally conscious. Solar-powered chargers, energy-efficient smart home devices, and biodegradable phone cases are just a few examples of how gadgets are evolving to reduce their ecological footprint.

    These innovations represent a significant shift in the tech industry, highlighting the potential for gadgets to not only improve our daily lives but also contribute positively to environmental conservation. By integrating green technologies into everyday devices, we are stepping into an era where gadgets not only bridge the gap between science and society but also play a vital role in fostering a sustainable future.