As the 2022 Mother’s Fun Run (MFR) raises K100 million for Dowa health facilities, Press Trust has called for increased investment in the health sector for optimal healthcare and services.

Trustee Linda Phiri, who was the guest of honour, made the call at Saturday’s MFR event in Dowa District.

Banda (R) supported by Phiri (M) symbolically hands over equipment to Makoza

She said: “We cannot progress as a country if our maternal morbidity and mortality rates remain high. It is, therefore, heart-warming to see that we have initiatives like Mother’s Fun Run which complements government’s efforts.

“Through this initiative, you are promoting safe motherhood and demonstrating how the private sector can work with government to advance our development goals.”

However, Phiri observed that maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Malawi are among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa due to inadequate health facilities to support essential obstetrics and neonatal care; shortage of supplies, equipment and midwives in health facilities.

In the spirit of complementing the government’s efforts, Nation Publications Limited (NPL) and its partners has, over the past 17 years, contributed  K685 million worth of medical equipment and supplies to maternity wings of the country’s public health facilities.

Through the MFR project, NPL has also put up a robust advocacy and awareness campaign for improved maternal and neonatal health in the country.

NPL chief executive officer Mbumba Banda said MFR has so far reached 19 districts and 100 health centres in the country.

Through this year’s initiative, NPL and its partners have mobilised K100 million for Dowa District Hospital and its satellite health facilities.

She said: “We have mobilised K100 million worth of life-saving equipment that I believe will go a long way in supporting mothers and their babies in Dowa.

“We may not be able to save every mother and baby, but never assume that what you do go unnoticed or unappreciated.”

Banda added that the initiative is motivated by the care, compassion and commitment to service by health workers such as those in Dowa, who tirelessly play their part to save the lives of mothers and babies during childbirth.

She cited an incident when a surgical officer stood behind the anaesthesia machine throughout the procedure when one of its pipes was loose as letting go would have seen the person on the theatre bed not waking up.

Thanking NPL and its partners, Dowa director of health and social services Peter Makoza said the medical equipment they received will help promote safe motherhood.

The donated medical equipment and supplies included portable ultrasound machines, resuscitaires, oxygen machines, examination beds, fetal dopplers and autoclave machines.

“These are the items we were [lacking]. For example, women going for Caesarean section need sterilised equipment for the operations. As such, the autoclave machine we have received will help women to access reliable health services,” said Makoza.

The guests also took time to tour Dowa District Hospital postnatal ward to cheer mothers  of newborns.

Reacting to the hospital’s challenges, World Bank country manager

Hugh Riddell said what they saw gave them food for thought.

“We recognise that when people come together, listen to communities and hear their challenges, they can join hands and think of solutions together,” he said.

Riddle said World Bank is also committed to supporting the health system in the country so that they do not run out of essential drugs and equipment to advance health care, especially maternal health.

Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale, who is also Dowa North East legislator, and Dowa District Council chairperson Richard Kasanje also took turns thanking NPL and its partners for the initiative.

“The hospital is old and dilapidated. We have all witnessed the problems affecting service delivery at the hospital, and have all been moved by them. As such, we need to do something about it,” said Kasanje.

On his part, Kawale donated K1 million towards this year’s MFR while Kasanje presented K500 000 from the district council.

The 2022 MFR brought together different partners. For example, Press Trust contributed K20 million for four portable ultra-sound machines while Dossani Trust donated K14 million for an infant resuscitaire (baby warmer), 100 litre autoclave and a portable ultrasound machine.

World Vision Malawi donated K15 million for 3 750 medical gowns, one medical examination bed, 10 pillows, 100 vaginal speculums and several other equipment.

Central Region Water Board pumped in K11 million, Standard Bank K8 million, Ernst & Young K5.6 million, Alliance One K5 million and Gift of the Givers K3 million.

Other partners who significantly supported the initiative are Medical Aid Society of Malawi, World Bank employees, Mthunzi Funeral Services, Kelfoods, Chikho Hotel and the Originally from Dowa grouping through whom the First Lady Monica Chakwera contributed K1 million.

There are also several other well-wishers who supported MFR in cash and in kind.

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