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Development Media International to implement MNCH project in Malawi

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By Vincent Gunde

The Development Media International DMI) is set to implement Maternal Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH) project to improve maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes in Malawi through a targeted Social Behavior Change (SBC) radio campaign.

The DMI designs and implements evidence- based Social Behavior Change (SBC) campaign to improve and save lives working in Malawi, Burkina Faso, Cote d’ivoire, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mozambique, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

The campaign will be delivered solely through radio broadcasting 35 spots in two languages (Chichewa and Tumbuka) in three selected districts based on poor indicators and good radio listenership in Karonga, Dowa, and Mangochi.


Presenting the project to the District executive committee (Dec) in Dowa, DMI’s Senior Research Manager Stephen Kumwenda, said this campaign will educate and empower communities on essential MNCH practices, promote positive health behaviors and reduce preventable maternal and child deaths.

Kumwenda said the organization will conduct formative research to understand the behavior in context, developing campaign content as well as a message and distribution, pretesting developed materials with target audience and implementing intensive broadcasting including monitoring and evaluation.

He said the campaign is expected to promote early and consistent antenatal care (ANC) visits among pregnant women, increased usage of insecticide- treated nets during pregnancy, promotion of exclusive breastfeeding, and improved early detection and treatment of diarrhea, pneumonia, and malaria in children Under- Five.

“The campaign will use national and regional radio stations including MBC 1, MBC 2, Zodiak, Radio Maria, Radio Islam and Tuntufye with Africa Media Monitoring Agency helping to monitor broadcasts by the radio stations,” said Kumwenda.


In his remarks, Dowa District Council’s Chief Administrative Officer Mathews Mkandawire, called on partners implementing various interventions in the district to share progress reports of activities to the council.

Mkandawire proposed to the Dec that partners implementing new projects should sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the council and the CSO Network for the district before they go to the field for their projects to enhance cooperation, transparency and accountability.

Trinity College of Health Sciences expands training programmes to meet Malawi’s growing healthcare needs

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By Chisomo Phiri

Trinity College of Health Sciences has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Malawi’s healthcare system through the introduction of new training programmes and expansion of existing ones.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony in Blantyre on Friday,The college’s Principal  Godrick Chipondeponde said the institution is on a steady path of growth and transformation aimed at producing well-trained and professional healthcare workers who will serve communities across the country.

Godrick Chipondeponde



“This graduation means a lot to us. The institution is growing, and we are very happy with the pace we are taking,” he said.

During this year’s ceremony, 81 nurses and midwives technicians, 10 food and nutrition students, and 25 public health assistants graduated.

The Principal described the milestone as a clear demonstration of the college’s continued progress and its positive impact on Malawi’s health sector.

He said founded in 1964, Trinity College of Health Sciences has trained thousands of health professionals who have served in hospitals and clinics nationwide.

Chipondeponde noted that the institution has always adapted to the country’s needs by expanding its intake whenever demand for healthcare workers increased.

“We respond to the needs of the country. When Malawi required more nurses, we increased our intakes. Our graduates are contributing significantly to their families, communities, and the nation,” he said.

Chipondeponde revealed that the college is diversifying beyond its traditional focus on nursing and midwifery training. It now offers additional health-related courses and plans to roll out more in the coming years.

“We already have a Biomedical Sciences programme accredited by the Medical Council of Malawi(MCM), and we have successfully enrolled three intakes so far.We are also preparing to introduce a Diploma in Nursing , a Diploma in Community Health Nursing, and a Certificate in Pharmacy.The curriculum for the nursing programmes has already been approved by the Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi(NMCM), and we expect these new courses to start in 2026,” he said.

The Principal added that the college operates two enrollment streams each year, in January and October, and occasionally in April, to meet growing student demand.

Chipondeponde also praised Trinity College students for their professionalism during clinical attachments, emphasizing the institution’s strong focus on ethics and discipline.

“We get very positive feedback from hospitals and clinics where our students go for practical training. We ensure they maintain professionalism and adhere to ethical standards as prescribed by the Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi,” he said.

On her part,one of the graduates, Maness Mateyu,expressed joy and pride after successfully completing her Diploma in Public Health, describing her academic journey as long but rewarding despite the challenges faced along the way.

Mateyu said her experience at the institution was marked by determination and perseverance, particularly in adapting to the difficult learning conditions in Nsanje district where the Trinity College of Health Sciences is based.

“I feel so good because it has been a long journey.The weather conditions in Nsanje are not very friendly for students. It is often very hot, and sometimes it becomes hard to study in the mornings, even when you have planned your timetable,” she said.

Despite these obstacles,Mateyu said she remained focused on her studies and is proud to have achieved her dream of becoming a public health professional.

“I am grateful to the college and to my lecturers for their support throughout my studies. This qualification means a lot to me, my family, and my community,” she said.

Trinity College of Health Sciences expands training programmes to meet Malawi’s growing healthcare needs

0

By Chisomo Phiri

Trinity College of Health Sciences has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Malawi’s healthcare system through the introduction of new training programmes and expansion of existing ones.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony in Blantyre on Friday,The college’s Principal  Godrick Chipondeponde said the institution is on a steady path of growth and transformation aimed at producing well-trained and professional healthcare workers who will serve communities across the country.

Godrick Chipondeponde



“This graduation means a lot to us. The institution is growing, and we are very happy with the pace we are taking,” he said.

During this year’s ceremony, 81 nurses and midwives technicians, 10 food and nutrition students, and 25 public health assistants graduated.

The Principal described the milestone as a clear demonstration of the college’s continued progress and its positive impact on Malawi’s health sector.

He said founded in 1964, Trinity College of Health Sciences has trained thousands of health professionals who have served in hospitals and clinics nationwide.

Chipondeponde noted that the institution has always adapted to the country’s needs by expanding its intake whenever demand for healthcare workers increased.

“We respond to the needs of the country. When Malawi required more nurses, we increased our intakes. Our graduates are contributing significantly to their families, communities, and the nation,” he said.

Chipondeponde revealed that the college is diversifying beyond its traditional focus on nursing and midwifery training. It now offers additional health-related courses and plans to roll out more in the coming years.

“We already have a Biomedical Sciences programme accredited by the Medical Council of Malawi(MCM), and we have successfully enrolled three intakes so far.We are also preparing to introduce a Diploma in Nursing , a Diploma in Community Health Nursing, and a Certificate in Pharmacy.The curriculum for the nursing programmes has already been approved by the Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi(NMCM), and we expect these new courses to start in 2026,” he said.

The Principal added that the college operates two enrollment streams each year, in January and October, and occasionally in April, to meet growing student demand.

Chipondeponde also praised Trinity College students for their professionalism during clinical attachments, emphasizing the institution’s strong focus on ethics and discipline.

“We get very positive feedback from hospitals and clinics where our students go for practical training. We ensure they maintain professionalism and adhere to ethical standards as prescribed by the Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi,” he said.

On her part,one of the graduates, Maness Mateyu,expressed joy and pride after successfully completing her Diploma in Public Health, describing her academic journey as long but rewarding despite the challenges faced along the way.

Mateyu said her experience at the institution was marked by determination and perseverance, particularly in adapting to the difficult learning conditions in Nsanje district where the Trinity College of Health Sciences is based.

“I feel so good because it has been a long journey.The weather conditions in Nsanje are not very friendly for students. It is often very hot, and sometimes it becomes hard to study in the mornings, even when you have planned your timetable,” she said.

Despite these obstacles,Mateyu said she remained focused on her studies and is proud to have achieved her dream of becoming a public health professional.

“I am grateful to the college and to my lecturers for their support throughout my studies. This qualification means a lot to me, my family, and my community,” she said.

Chithyola pledges youth-focused oversight in Parliament

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By Chisomo Phiri

Newly appointed Leader of Opposition, Simplex Chithyola Banda, has pledged to transform parliamentary oversight by prioritizing youth engagement, constructive dialogue, and evidence-based accountability.

Speaking to journalists at his parliamentary office in Lilongwe on Friday, Banda emphasised that his approach would not be about opposing government initiatives for the sake of politics. Instead, he intends to hold the government accountable through fact-driven scrutiny and solutions-oriented debate.

Chithyola



He said:“Our goal is to focus on real, evidence-based issues that give hope to Malawians by ensuring the government delivers on its promises.”

Banda highlighted key areas where the opposition will focus its efforts, including government commitments to free secondary education and the distribution of four bags of fertilizer per household.

“We are committed to ensuring that government policies are implemented effectively and that every Malawian can see tangible results,” he said.

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera appointed the former Finance Minister to the position, with Moses Kunkuyu and Monica Chang’anamuno serving as Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip, respectively.

Francis Belekanyama and Moreen Nseula were named Leader and Deputy Leader of Backbenchers, while Daniel Chitonya was appointed as parliamentary commissioner.

Bigger and Better: UMP Awards Reschedule for Lilongwe, November 15

By Rahim Abdul

The organizers of the prestigious Urban Music People (UMP) Awards have announced that the highly anticipated event, which recognizes excellence in fashion and film, will now take place on November 15, 2025, in Lilongwe.

The ceremony was initially scheduled for October 25 at Cape Maclear in Mangochi but was postponed due to unforeseen logistical and organizational challenges.

UMP’s communications director, Edgar M’baluku, said the decision to move the event was made after thorough consultations to ensure the awards maintain their reputation as one of the most glamorous and well-organized entertainment events in Malawi. He explained that several factors including accommodation constraints, technical setup issues and concerns about accessibility to the lakeshore venue prompted the team to reschedule and relocate the event to the capital city.



“We didn’t want to compromise the quality and prestige of UMP. Our goal is to host a memorable event that celebrates the best of Malawi’s fashion and film industries,” said M’baluku.

“Lilongwe offers better logistics and a wider audience reach, which aligns with our vision to make this year’s edition even bigger and more inclusive,”he added.

The UMP Awards, launched over a decade ago, have become a major platform for recognizing creative talent in Malawi’s urban culture, including fashion designers, models, stylists, filmmakers and actors. Over the years, the ceremony has expanded from celebrating musicians to honoring personalities from various entertainment and lifestyle sectors.

M’baluku further revealed that the list of nominees in both fashion and film categories has already been released. Among the notable names are some of Malawi’s rising filmmakers and designers who have made significant contributions to the country’s creative industry in 2025.

The new date, according to the organizers, will allow for better planning and give both nominees and fans enough time to prepare for what promises to be an unforgettable red-carpet experience. The ceremony is expected to feature live performances, celebrity appearances, and tributes to industry pioneers.

As anticipation builds, UMP organizers have assured fans that this year’s edition will not only focus on awards but also on showcasing the power of creativity as a driver of economic and cultural growth in Malawi.

“This year, we want to highlight how film and fashion can shape narratives, create jobs, and inspire young Malawians to pursue careers in the arts,” added M’baluku.

The UMP Awards 2025 are being described as a rebirth of Malawi’s entertainment excellence, setting the stage for a grand celebration of talent, style and innovation.