PROSTITUTION SWELLS IN MZUZU

By JEREMIAH KASAMBALA

People in Mzuzu are disappointed
with the growing number of women who operates businesses like Restaurants, phone bureaus or selling rice but resort into prostitution during night hours.

This development has instilled fear in many people alleging this will promote the spreading of HIV in the country.

It has also been revealed that most of these women are also married. It has also been uncovered that that a lot of these women are from songwe border (the bolder between Malawi and Tanzania).

“At least those men who booze can be better off because they might know that apart from this woman being a tomato vendor she also visit beer halls at night. So you may know how to handle them when proposing for sex”, Said a man who declined to be named.

He added, “this is a threat which
might make the country to fail to
achieve an HIV free generation”.

A lot of people have attributed this
problem to the rise in the cost of
living in the country.

CPC RELIEVES CHILDREN FROM SUFFERING, PROMOTES QUALITY OF LIFE

BY FRANK KAUTEKA TEMBO

For many years, palliative care was not offered to pediatric patients and even today only a minority of children with incurable illness benefit from palliative care services.

With a growing population, an increase has been observed in regards to the prevalence of incurable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, cancer and various disabilities associated with pain and suffering.

For children in extreme pain, including that of the body, mind and spirit, Children’s Palliative Care (CPC) is the solution.

In an interview with the Weekend Express, CPC Project Leader Jean Tauzie explained this ongoing project in greater detail.

What is Palliative Care (PC)?

The term ‘palliative care’ is derived from the Latin word ‘palliative’, meaning ‘to cloak’. The term refers to an approach to medical care that is focused on reducing the severity of distressing symptoms, rather than striving to cure, halt or reverse the progression of a disease.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines palliative care for children as a special, albeit closely related field to adult palliative care, which includes the active, total care of child’s mind and spirit, and involves giving support to the family.

Why did you come up with CPC project?

The Palliative Care Association of Malawi (PACAM) and its collaborating partners have been championing palliative care for adults since 2005. A baseline survey conducted in early 2011, with funding from the Department for International Development (DFID), revealed that many children in extreme pain and suffering were not being attended to. As a result, this project was established in two countries – India and Malawi – with a mandate to scale-up the delivery of children’s palliative care.

Which hospitals is the project targeting in Malawi?

In Malawi, this project will be piloted in three central hospitals: Zomba, Mzuzu and Kamuzu Central Hospital.

What are the aims of the CPC project?

The project aims to relieve suffering and improve the quality of life of children living with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses, as well as provide support to their families and attendants. By addressing HIV, health and child rights legislation, this project will change the policy environment that currently restricts the deliverance of CPC and availability of oral morphine for children’s use. By improving access to quality, children’s palliative care services, it is expected that the burden of care will be lifted from families, particularly women who will have greater capacity to generate income and break the cycle of poverty.

What challenges do you face?

Training health workers to better provide CPC services is a difficult task. Tracking the status and well being of discharged patients presents another ongoing challenge. Furthermore, the failure of patients to visit clinics, and poor communication with the districts on continuity of care is a serious problem we face. Finally, on occasion, the scarcity of drugs in hospitals disrupts the effective delivery of CPC.

What are future plans for the project?

We have plans to print advocacy materials to distribute to the community. Another plan we are initiating is the training of health workers in the country’s central hospitals. As well, we will be establishing focus groups where health professionals can discuss issues concerning children’s palliative care.

Do you have anything to add?

We are appealing to the media, health personals, organizations and members of the public to take part in sensitizing the community about children palliative care. Please, help us.

MZUZU WOMAN AWARDED SCHOLARSHIP TO STUDY ABROAD

BY JOACKIM NTHALA

A 19-year-old Mzuzu woman from Lupaso Community Day Secondary School has been awarded a scholarship to pursue higher education in the United States.

Rex Mlotha, Ireks International coordinator for Malawi, confirmed the development during the closing day of a week-long seminar hosted by the Foundation for Justice Victims Support (FJVS) in Mzuzu.

During the seminar, Mlotha spoke of the chosen student and the reason she was selected for the coveted scholarship.

‘’The girl is more open, she disclosed her [positive HIV] status, whole life story and this is rare in nature, but it’s impressive. That’s why [Ireks International] thought it would be wise to award her a scholarship to study in the USA,” said Mlotha.

Speaking in an interview, Mlotha said that the female student will commence her studies in America next year. Preparation for such a formal journey, he explained, will take time.

“We also need the formal government agreements and acceptance from the student’s parents. If everything goes well, she will be going next year in March,’’ Mlotha added.

In reaction to the matter, the woman identified as Tigzowere Kaunda said that she is very happy to have such an opportunity.

‘’I think this chance will help me to fulfill my dream of becoming a lawyer,” Kaunda said smilingly.

Furthermore, she also encouraged her peers not to ignore friends who have disclosed their HIV status, but help them with the problems they encounter.

Kaunda hails from Mafuta Village T/A Mthwalo in Mzimba district.

FJVS LAUNCHES AWARENESS CAMPAIGN IN THE NORTH

BY JOACKIM NTHALA

The Foundation for Justice Victims Support (FJVS) is educating youths on girls empowerment and HIV and AIDS related human rights issues in Mzuzu City, the Weekend Express has learnt.

Speaking in an interview with the coordinator for FJSV, Evans Mwale said the seminar aimed at educating youths so that they educate their peers on behavior change and gender equality.

“The seminar was aimed at educating peers so that there is change in awful behavior and to makes sure that girls are empowered on human rights abuse and HIV and AIDS related issues,” he said.

Mwale added that the seminar has been successful because of good participation from representatives. Further, he explained that attendees are expected to edify others in groupings in their respective organizations and institutions.

One of the attendees, Joseph Mphande of Artisan private secondary school, said the seminar was beneficial to the life of youths and they are going to formulate various human rights groups in their respective institutions so that they share the newfound knowledge with their peers.

The seminar was funded by National Aids Commission (NAC) through Mzuzu City Council, and attended by thirty representatives from fifteen organizations including schools and churches from around the city.

According to FJSV Coordinator the seminar is not an isolated incident; in 2008, another seminar was conducted only for females.