By Vincent Gunde
The Malawi Red Cross Society’s Integrated Community Based Health Project (ICBHP) which was being implemented in the areas of three T/As Chiwere, Nkukula and Msakambewa is phasing out in Dowa district by January end-2025.
The project started in 2022 with an overall goal of improving the health status of communities in the areas of three T/As through access to health and WASH services by 2034 has seen community members improving their health and hygiene behavior by applying good hygiene and nutrition practices.
The project targeted 348,941 people which included pregnant women and children Under-Five in the focusing areas of Health and Nutrition, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and capacity building has conducted training of 150 volunteers in selected key health and WASH topics, among others.
The organization’s District Coordinator for Dowa Maureen Mwakanema, said the project has facilitated community based cooking demonstrations and food displays using locally available foods and refresher trainings of Care Group members and Health Care Workers on management.
Mwakanema said the project has drilled and rehabilitated boreholes including fencing, training of Area Mechanics, Water Point Committees and conducting volunteer households visits for information dissemination to areas such as Kanyumbu, Mazulungwi, Chalunda and Ngubane of the areas of T/AS Chiwere, Nkukula and Msakambewa in the district.
She said so far, the project has registered remarkable achievements such as some communities providing meals to clinic staff, volunteers working with Village Health Committees and Community Health Action Groups, among others.
“Some communities have constructed a clinic shelter and latrines at Mkanthama in the area of Senior Chief Msakambewa, Care Groups conducting cooking demonstrations on their own with Water Point Committees signing agreements with Area Mechanics on major repairs of Boreholes,” said Mwakanema.
However, Mwakanema said the project met some challenges in the course of implementation such as devaluation of the local currency, shortage of drugs at the main Dowa District Hospital, topography of Dowa affected borehole drillings and prolonged rains affected latrines constructions.
Mwakanema said the project has learnt that coordination is key to community engagement and ownership of the project, and project sustainability.
In her remarks, Dowa District Council’s Water Development Officer Fanny Muula, said the council is appreciating the impact done by the project to the communities of the district expressing commitment to continue working with the Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) for the good of the people of Dowa.
- Atupele Muluzi Promises Economic Empowerment for Malawians Ahead of 2025 Elections
- High-rise dreams take shape: New City Centre projects unveiled
- UTM Woman candidate with disability voices concerns over campaign challenges and calls for support
- Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) and Afreximbank Forge Strategic Partnership to Unlock US$1 billion in investments
- Michael Usi Criticizes Chakwera Government, Urges Malawians to Vote for Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu
- Kamphangala thanks court for sending Smartmatic machine to the grave
- DPP Charts Bold Foreign Policy and Diaspora Strategy for Malawi’s Development
- DPP Unveils Ambitious Plan for Private Sector, Industry, and Trade Growth (2025–2030)
- DPP Pledges Public Service Reforms and Proven Leadership ahead of 2025 Elections
- UTM Running Mate Mathews Mtumbuka Promises K1 Trillion Investment in Likoma Tourism and Agriculture
- Kia Carens 2025 Launch: Premium 7-Seater MPV with SUV Design, Advanced Features & Easy EMI Plans
- Toyota Prado 2025 Returns Makes a Bold U.S. Comeback: Rugged SUV with Hybrid Power & Low Price
- MCP Dedza Chair Joshua Malango Urges Calm as Campaign Period Ends
- High Court Rules MEC Can Use Electronic Transmission but Final Results Must Be Based on Manual Records
- Limpopo FM claims visitors accompanying Ballot Papers
- MCP Constituency chairman suspects Chakwera is captured
- Atupele Muluzi Compares 2025 Election to 1994 as UDF Concludes Mangochi Campaign
- Chiefs and communities urge MCP to develop Sanjiko Ward after elections