Category: Health

Abandoned by family, HIV diagnosis leaves her homeless, but she finds unexpected community.

Meet Kambiri (not her real name) a 23-year-old lesbian who grew up in a loving family in Lilongwe.

When she was diagnosed with HIV in 2023 and revealed her sexual orientation to them, everything changed. Her parents abandoned her, leaving her homeless and forced to find solace on the streets.

“My family said I was cursed, that I deserved my HIV diagnosis for being lesbian,” Kambiri recalls, her voice shaking. “They kicked me out, leaving me with nothing.”

With no home, no family, and no support, Kambiri was forced to live on the streets and started having suicidal thoughts. She scavenged for food and shelter and struggle to access antiretroviral therapy (ART)because thehealthcare facilities she visited were not inclusive or sensitive to her needs, a reality that often prevents gender and sexual minorities from receivingcare.

Finding community

One night, while seeking shelter in an abandoned building on the outskirts of Lilongwe, Kambiri met a community of LGBTQ+ youth, many of whom were also HIV-positive and rejected by their families.

“They accepted me for who I am, HIV and all,” Kambiri said. “For the first time, I felt like I belonged.”

Kambiri’s new family consisted of a 19-year-old trans man who protected her, a 22-year-old lesbian who offered wisdom, and a 25-year-old gay man who became her confidant.

Together, they scavenged for food, shared stories, and supported each other through the struggles of living with HIV.

Resilience

Despite ongoing hardships, Kambiri found strength in her new family. “I realized I wasn’t alone. There were others like me, fighting for survival and dignity,” she said.

After defaulting on her antiretrovirals for three months, Kambiriresumed treatment and began to rebuild her life. “I want people to know that being a lesbian and living with HIV is not a curse. It’s a part of who I am, and I am proud of who I’ve become,” she said.

Kambiri’s story is a testament to resilience and the power of community. Abandoned by her family, she created a new one that accepts her for who she is.

Mtendere (not his real name), a 20-year-old gay man living with HIVin Lilongwe, shared a similar story. Mtendere grew up in a conservative family in Central Malawi. He came out to them as gay at 18, hoping for acceptance. Instead, they rejected him, citing cultural and religious reasons.

“Many religions have scriptures that are interpreted as condemning LGBTQ+ identities. My parents’ homophobic attitude towards me was even worse,” he said.

After being disowned by family and friends who didn’t accept his sexuality, Mtendere faced emotional trauma, feelings of guilt, shame, and low self-esteem, financial struggles, and homelessness.

“It was a terrible situation. I had nowhere to stay. Everyone abandoned me,” he recalls.“I had to explore survival strategies. I had to build new relationships with accepting friends, connected with some LGBTQ+ networks for emotional support, and prioritized self-care, seeking counseling and therapy.”

Mtendere now lives in a shared apartment with accepting roommates and has rebuilt his self-esteem and confidence. He still hopes for reconciliation with his family.

“Self-love and acceptance are crucial, and community support is vital. I believe one day I will reconcile with them,” he said.

But what do Kambiri’s and Mtendere’s families say? Are they concerned?

“We didn’t raise her to be this way,” Kambiri’s father said. “It is against our culture and religion. She has chosen a lifestyle that is not acceptable. We can’t support it. We love her, but we can’t accept her choices.”

Mtendere’s father shared similar reservations.“It is his choice not ours, but we cannot accept a gay person in our family,” he said.

Group Village Headman Mtande of Mchezi in Lilongwe is a member of the local chief’s forum of traditional leaders who address issues of local concern. He said there is local need for awareness campaigns on sexual orientation issues.

“It is very unfortunate that some of our children are being disowned because of their sexual orientation,” Mtande said. “It’s high time organizations realize the need of raising awareness. Our community should learn to accept and support LGBTQ+ individuals.”

Human rights activist and executive director of the Center for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) Michael Kayiyatsa is working to bring about this change.

“As activists, we will continue to push for acceptance, inclusivity and protection of LGBTQ+ rights, despite rejection and adversity. We shall not relent in promoting and protecting human rights, particularly for marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals,” Kayiyatsa said.

Alex Kaomba, the programs manager for Community Health Rights Advocacy (CHeRA), said “We believe in the universality of human rights, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. What is happening to Kambiri and Mtendere is very unfortunate, and we cannot tolerate that. We are not asking for special treatment, just equality.”

CHRR’s 2019 study titled “Perceptions and Attitudes towards LGBTQI Persons in Malawi”,21% of LGBTQI respondents reported experiencing rejection from their families, 47% reported experiencing verbal abuse, 35% reported experiencing physical violence while 27% reported experiencing sexual violence.

The Center for the Development of People (CEDEP) provides shelter, counseling and HIV services to Malawi’sLGBTQI community while the Malawi Network for Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV/AIDS (MANERELA+) offers spiritual support and advocacy.

 

 

Reported By Rosalia Kapiri

President Lazarus Chakwera has emphasised the importance of continued vigilance and commitment in the fight against three major diseases that threaten public health in Malawi and across Africa: malaria, tuberculosis (TB), and HIV and AIDS.

Speaking on Tuesday evening at the Presidential Global Fund Dinner held at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, the President highlighted the progress made in combating these diseases but stressed that further efforts are required to achieve their full eradication.

“While significant strides have been made, the battle against these diseases is far from over. We must remain vigilant, committed, and focused on a future free from the burden of malaria, TB, and HIV and AIDS,” he said.

“We are grateful to the Global Fund for its continued support. This partnership has been instrumental in turning the tide against these diseases,” Chakwera added, welcoming the Global Fund Board to the country and recognising their crucial investments in healthcare.

The President noted that Malaria, TB, and HIV and AIDS continue to pose significant health challenges in Africa, with these diseases collectively accounting for millions of cases and deaths each year.

According to President Chakwera, malaria alone affects over 200 million people in Africa annually, accounting for more than 90 percent of the world’s total cases, with high mortality rates, particularly among children and pregnant women.

Chakwera underscored the necessity of global unity and perseverance in tackling these diseases, saying, “These challenges require a grand strategy, one that is built on collaboration, unity, and determination.”

President Chakwera expressed appreciation for the partnership between Malawi and the Global Fund, which he credited with playing a pivotal role in the country’s fight against these health threats.

In her remarks, Global Fund Chairperson, Roslyn Morauta praised Malawi’s leadership in addressing the three major diseases noting that the Global Fund’s partnership with Malawi spans over two decades and has led to positive changes in the country’s healthcare landscape.

“Malawi’s commitment to combating HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria is a beacon of hope for the region.

“The partnership between Malawi and the Global Fund has been critical in achieving the progress we’ve seen, and we look forward to continuing our collaborative work,” Morauta said.

Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, also addressed the gathering, expressing her gratitude for the continued support from international partners.

She highlighted the role of the First Lady, Monica Chakwera, in advancing the national health agenda and supporting efforts to reduce the impact of these diseases.

The dinner, which brought together key stakeholders in the fight against these diseases, marked the 52nd Global Fund Board Meeting which is being held in Malawi.

As the Global Fund Board Meeting continues in the country, the focus remains on reaffirming commitments to global health goals and tackling the challenges that remain.

 

 

Not her real name, Evelyn had a rude awakening when she received the news that her 4-year old son had been diagnosed with tuberculosis. Like many others, she had assumed that children were immune to such a disease.

Evelyn was devastated and struggled with how to break the news to her husband, who had always sought help from traditional doctors for various ailments.

Reflecting on what prompted her to take her son to the hospital, Evelyn shared, ” I was scared when I noticed my son’s persistent cough, especially at night. Despite trying antibiotics at home, his condition didn’t improve, and he was becoming increasingly weak. That’s when I decided to take him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with TB.”

Diagnosing TB in children can be particularly challenging due to the non-specific symptoms it presents and the lack of sensitive and child-friendly diagnostic tests. It’s possible for a child to be infected with TB bacteria without showing active disease.

Evelyn’s husband, however, was initially resistant to the idea of seeking medical care at a hospital.

He advised her to visit a traditional doctor instead, as he too was sceptical about the possibility of a child suffering from TB.

Evelyn’s experience highlights the misconceptions and lack of awareness that exist around TB in children and the importance of seeking proper medical care for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

“We both never thought that our son would suffer from TB. However, when I broke the news to my husband, he advised me not to go to the hospital but rather visit a traditional doctor,” Evelyn shared, recounting her husband’s reaction.

Concerned about her husband’s intentions, Evelyn informed the doctor about the situation during her visit to the hospital. The doctor then invited both Evelyn her husband for counselling.

When I went to the hospital, I explained everything to the doctor about my husband’s refusal to have our son receive medication. The doctor requested my husband’s contact information, which I provided. He was called, and we met the doctor the next day for counselling,” Evelyn lamented.

After the counselling session, Evelyn and her husband gained a better understanding that TB is curable and can affect anyone, including children.

” I am a living testimony that TB in children is curable. I had doubts, but after the counselling, my husband and I made sure that our son adhered to the prescribed medication,” Evelyn said.

Madalitso Chiundira, the district TB officer for Zomba Central Hospital said Zomba District is fairing well in terms of fighting pediatric TB.

But what strides has Malawi made in the fight against pediatric TB?

Dr Tisungane Mwenyenkulu, the research, care and treatment officer at the National TB and Leprosy Elimination program shared some advancements that have been made saying, “In the management of pediatric TB, there have been advancements such as the introduction of child-friendly formulations for DR TB and the reduction of the duration of treatment from 18 months to 9 months based on World Health Organisation recommended treatment regimens. Recently, the WHO recommended the use of the stool SOS Xpert Ultra technique for the diagnosis of pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis.”

TB diagnosis in children has been a challenge not only in Malawi but in many other African countries.

Meanwhile, on a national level, childhood TB notification has increased by 9%, but there is still a need to improve pediatric TB case findings. In 2021, the childhood target for TB diagnosis and treatment was 2,432 and 1,351 were achieved, representing 56%.

In 2022, the target was set at 2,5551 cases, and 1,473 were achieved, representing 58%.

Reported By Benedicto Maguda

Millennium University has organized a Youth Mental Festival which will be held from November 9 to 10 at the Blantyre Youth Centre.

The festival is essentially a vibrant gathering for young people, their friends and families to converge and celebrate life, community, connection and positive change through good mental health.

Speaking with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Monday, Dr. Sandra Jumbe a senior lecturer and lead researcher in mental health said on the day there shall be different activities that will spice up the day and make the day unforgettable.

“We have a dynamic programme featuring activities like football and netball tournaments, music, dance and theatre. Alongside that we have inspirational talks, interactive workshops and panel discussions with mental health experts, our stakeholders and other local celebrities,” Jumbe who is also a health psychologist said.

Jumbe added that the festival is part of a bigger research project that she is leading called ARISE, which focuses on improving mental health literacy among the youth using education settings.

“The bigger goal is to work with ministries of education and health to roll this out across the country and create a national framework that embeds mental health into our education system. We also want to reach young people that are not in college or university so they can also learn about mental health,” she said.

She added that this festival is very important to the youth because it gives a chance to educate the youth in masses about what mental health is, how to manage it and also for them to help others.

“As a psychologist, I have always wanted to remove the taboo around mental illness and encourage people to open up when facing challenges. I see this festival as a great way to reduce stigma surrounding mental health,” she said.

In a separate interview, Executive Director for Drug Fight Malawi, Nelson Zakeyu who will be the guest of honour during the event, said this is a very important event especially to the youth because it will help them receive advice from experts on how to desist from drug and substance abuse.

“Drug and substance abuse is very dangerous among the youth as it leads to delinquency; therefore, I’m asking all the youth to take care of their health by doing physical exercises. I also urge all the youth to come in large numbers so that they can receive advice from the experts,” Zakeyu said.

This is the second festival. The first one was held last year at the same venue during World Mental Health Month in October. On the day, there will be other celebrities such as Piksy, Patrick Mabedi, Mary Waya, Hazel Mak and Nicole Kamwendo, among others. This year’s theme is: healthy mind, healthy body.

 

 

 

 

Reported by Catherine Tembo:

Community Health Rights Advocacy (CHERA) and KELIN Kenya have launched the Solidarity Project, led by the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC).

The project aims to identify intellectual property barriers in Malawi’s health sector through a market intelligence study.

CHERA Executive Director Aniz Mitha emphasized the need for advocacy to remove intellectual property rights on medicines, making them affordable and accessible.

“The main reason for the project is to make medicines affordable and available, intellectual property makes medicines expensive, especially in low-income countries like Malawi.” Mitha said.

Gift Trapence, Chairperson of Civil Society Advocacy Forum (CISAF), highlighted the study’s significance in addressing procurement challenges.

“It’s crucial to identify bottlenecks in accessing medicines, preliminary findings show data keeping is a major challenge.” He said.

Dr. Rapson Kachala from the Ministry of Health noted the government’s efforts in capacity building for pharmacy personnel.

“We need to be accountable in procurement and records keeping to impress donors,” Said Kachala.

The project is being implemented in Senegal, Tunisia, Malawi, and Uganda.

Our Aim Foundation, a US-based non-profit organisation, is on Thursday expected to handover Nafuse Health Clinic to communities in Mchinji District.

Addressing the media on Tuesday in Lilongwe, the Foundation’s founder, Nisha Mandani said the clinic, which has six modern staff houses will serve 92 villages Senior Chief Mkanda.

She said about 50 000 people are expected to benefit from the K700 million clinic built at Mbewa Village.

“The clinic will be offering crucial services like maternity care, immunisations and check-ups. Further, it will be providing emergency services and help combat prevalent diseases like malaria and other waterborne diseases,” said Mandani who added that she decided to help the community after witnessing the struggle the community had accessing health service.

Before the facility, people in the area had to travel a very long distance to either Mkanda or Kapiri Health Center to access different services.

Nafuse Health Clinic is the second falicity which Our Aim Foundation has built in the district. They also built Tongozala Health Clinic under the same Senior Chief Mkanda.

The two clinics which are being operated hand in hand with Mchinji District Health Office, are offering free service.

This will be the organization’s second clinic in Mchinji, offering free medication and services. The other clinic is in Tongozala, Traditional Authority Mkanda. Mandani, however, acknowledged that they need more Malawians and more local organizations to join efforts with them to open more such institutions in many districts.

Dr Damson Kathyola, Our Aim Foundation Board Member who is one of the Commissioners for Health Services Commission, said the facility will help reduce maternal and mortality deaths in the district.

“We cherish efforts by Our Aim Foundation to complement government’s to make sure that each and every Malawi has access to health services in the country. The more important thing is that the foundation is working with people from the hard to reach areas, who walk long distances seeking health services,” he said.

Our AIM Foundation was founded 15 years ago with multiple branches in Africa and South Asian countries. It is a donor-run organization which directs close to 100 percent of its donations to its beneficiaries.

The foundation aims at improving the quality of life of underprivileged communities through absolute FREE services in Education, Health, Water & Sanitation, Women & Youth Empowerment, Hunger Prevention by covering over eight Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

To date, the services have benefitted over 5,000,000+ individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. It is a recipient of multiple prestigious global awards from the President of the United States, the White House, Global Water Award from the International Water Association and many more.

Beatitude Naturopathy and Wellness Centre has organized week-long Backpain and Arthritis awareness and alignment sessions where patients will be treated using naturopathic methods.

The Centre’s Director Francis Malunga said in an interview yesterday that the awareness week will run from 23 September to 27 September 2024 from 7.30am to noon at their centre at Manase in Blantyre.

“So far, we have conducted two Backpain awareness campaigns in the past where people with acute backpain were treated using naturopathic methods. This time we thought of adding those with arthritis problem so that we should help them and give them information about these ailments,” said Malunga.

He said the Wellness Centre will offer free lectures to people who have backpain and arthritis issues apart from treating them.

“They will only need to pay a registration fee of K20,000 otherwise we will not be charging for the actual treatment of the backpain and arthritis,” said Malunga.

Malunga distinguished naturopathy and wellness from hospital care citing the former provides respect for the healing processes of nature while empowering the individual to take responsibility for their own health process.

“We are aware that some people have gone outside the country to have backpain surgeries and arthritis care which have not been fully healed, we recommend that these people should patronize the backpain and arthritis awareness week, we can be saving a lot of forex if we do these procedures here in Malawi using naturopathic methods,” said Malunga.

One of the people who attended last year’s awareness week Peter Kachepa said it was worthwhile as he had his back problem sorted within a day.

“The tips and lecture that they gave us were also helpful because one knows what to do when he or she notice the signs and symptoms. I would encourage those with backpain issues to attend the awareness week,” said Kachepa.

According the World Health Organization (WHO) about 620 million people suffered low back pain in 2020 and it is estimated that the number will increase to 843 million by 2050 adding that low back pain is the single leading cause for disability worldwide and it is a condition which many will require rehabilitation.

Beatitude Naturopathy and Wellness Centre recently relocated from Balaka to Manase, Blantyre to serve more people who were looking for naturopathic treatment.

Listed FDH Bank has given K7 million to Nation Publications Limited in support of this year’s Mother’s Fun Run initiative which aims to promote safe motherhood in Chikwawa District.

Speaking at the cheque handover ceremony in Blantyre, FDH Bank’s Public Relations Manager, Lorraine Chikhula praised the Fun Run initiative for promoting safe motherhood in Malawi for nearly two decades.

“This is a critical development initiative, as we are all here because of mothers, and every child and mother deserve quality, safe healthcare. Safe motherhood is the foundation of a healthy nation, enabling further development.”

“The initiative also aligns with the Bank’s corporate social responsibility program, FDH Cares, which focuses on four pillars; Our Community, Our Environment, Our People, and Our Economy. Under Our Community, we champion various initiatives, especially in health and education, which are directly aligned with the Mother’s Fun Run initiative,” said Chikhula.

Representing NPL at the event, Weekend Nation Editor, Steven Nhlane, expressed heartfelt appreciation to FDH Bank plc for their generous donation towards the initiative.

He commended the Bank for its continuous commitment to supporting safe motherhood, noting that the contribution would have a significant impact in Chikwawa District.

“We are truly grateful to FDH Bank for this generous donation, which will go a long way in improving maternal and child healthcare in Chikwawa. Your unwavering support for this initiative, now running for close to two decades, is a testament to your dedication in making a difference in the health and well-being of Malawians. Together, we can help ensure that every mother and child have access to the quality care they deserve,” Nhlane remarked.

FDH Bank plc has reaffirmed its strong relationship with the health sector and its commitment to supporting initiatives that improve the well-being of Malawians.