SPECIAL REPORTS (47)
Thoughts on International Literacy Day 2024
The theme for the 2024 International Literacy Day is "Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace". This is an important theme because multilingualism entails recognising and promoting other languages beyond dominant ones.
From Cotton to Maize: Lessons for Malawi in GM Seed Pricing
Having successfully conducted trials and commercialized genetically modified cotton, Malawi has taken an extra step to venture into genetically modified maize, exploring the efficacy of a bioengineered fall army worm resistant maize seed.
The genesis of GM cotton in Malawi was not without controversy as different sectors of society expressed mixed reactions on the pros and cons on environmental safety, and later the realities came to light on the issue of pricing.
It is a reality that some cotton farmers have been unable to purchase the cotton GM seed, leading to poor output as they mix it with local varieties despite the government ordering that it be the only cotton seed grown in Malawi.
Now, given that maize is the staple food for Malawi, how prepared are scientists and the regulators to circumvent this challenge. Annes Mwale finds out.
Is Malawi Ready to Adopt Genetic Engineering in Health?
As the world’s population continues to grow, the World Health Organization (WHO) says there is a likelihood that new infections will continue to emerge.
Examples of the recent hard-to-deal with ailments include Covid-19, SARS, and Mpox whose spread has partly been attributed to increased global movement of people and climatic changes.
WHO says despite registering success in conventional approaches to health care, the global burden of infectious disease is immense, creating the need for modern and effective ways of producing drugs and vaccines.
One such way is biotechnology, the use of biology to develop new products, methods and organisms intended to improve human health and society.
Just recently, doctors in the United States successfully conducted heart and kidney transplants on two men using organs from genetically modified pigs. Although both men died later, the studies have been hailed as a milestone. But is this technology viable for a country like Malawi? Zuleika Nanguwo finds out.
Low Funding Threatens Malawi’s Gains in Family Planning
Malawi and several other countries have set a target to increase access to the modern contraceptive from 48% to 60% by 2030.This follows the launch of the FP2030 Family Planning Measurement Report for 2023 which shows significant achievements in family planning across the globe, even in the face of what has been described as stagnant funding.
Stigma & Discrimination: A Thorn in Life of People With Disabilities
It is an undisputable fact that education is a catalyst for socioeconomic development in all aspects of life. But much as education is touted as the key to empowerment and future self reliance, some children are unfortunate enough. They are denied such opportunity due to multiple factors.
Some of them languish in homes, with there future so bleak and blurred, with no ray of hope.
Citizens and Corruption: The Role
For years, Malawians have decried the loss of tax-payer’s money to mismanagement or absolute corruption by public officials.
From village level to councils to the central government, funds grow wings and just disappear in thin air, which all boils down to one thing, corruption.
The problem at times is where the citizens say they do not know what amounts to corruption, which some feel that relevant authorities should have made a deliberate effort to sensitize them on what defines corruption.
The Youth and Corruption Fight
Corruption has been a parasite that has been eating too much into the country’s governance system for years in Malawi, a concern that seems to be a tall order to address.
It has found its way into both the public and private sector and among all ages in the society, that is including the youthful population in the country.
Encroachers Mount Pressure on Michiru and Lengwe Reserves
Encroachers are increasingly becoming arrogant. Our visit at Michiru Nature Sanctuary in Blantyre a few days ago revealed a worrisome trend.
People from surrounding areas, especially those from Mdala village, are fearlessly entering the protected area in groups of 30 to 50 people on almost a daily basis to plunder its resources.
One officer here told us that the people have resorted to moving in groups for them to easily overpower law enforcement personnel. While there, we noticed the merciless and numerous scars of wanton cutting down of trees.
Electronic TB Treatment Management System Brings Hope to Patients
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the dangerous diseases in Malawi that kills many people, especially when one delays to start treatment. However, you cannot start treatment without knowing the results of your test. The longer it takes to get the results, the longer it takes for one start treatment.
For years, patients, particularly, those living in remote areas have been struggling to get TB results in good time due to long distances to hospital.
To address the challenge, an TB eHealth System was introduced in Malawi to improve care and support for TB patients.
Rheumatic Heart Disease: A Monster Among Malawian Children
Rheumatic Heart Disease is when rheumatic fever permanently damages heart valves in a person.
Children who get repeated strep-throat infections and rheumatic fever are the most at risk to be diagnosed with this heart condition.
In our special report, Zuleika Nanguwo, takes us through the challenges children with Rheumatic Heart Disease face in the quest to access expensive-government sponsored treatment abroad.
