Mzimba Heritage Association (Mziha) has endorsed Nation Publications Limited (NPL) Mothers’ Fun Run initiative and drummed up support from well-wishers to promote maternal and newborn healthcare in Mzimba North.
In a statement issued yesterday, Mziha secretary general Khumbo Bonzoe Soko said the association was backing the initiative, which this year is targeting 25 health facilities under Mzimba North District Health Office that includes Mpherembe, Ekwendeni and Mapale.
“Mziha strongly encourages members of the public, the local business community and all subjects of His Majesty the King to contribute to this noble cause,” he said of the award-winning NPL flagship corporate social responsibility initiative.
the cause.| Nation
Mziha has also urged the public to take part in the Sleepover Challenge, saying it highlights the challenges faced by mothers and health workers in under-resourced facilities.
Soko, a private practice lawyer who previously served as Malawi Law Society president, has taken the lead in the sleep over challenge to raise funds for the cause.
NPL head of business and organisational development McDonald Kadewa said Mziha’s endorsement is significant because of the association’s influence among communities in Mzimba North.
He said Mziha’s involvement gives local communities an opportunity to take ownership of an initiative aimed at addressing challenges affecting their own health facilities.
Said Kadewa: “We are excited and delighted that Mziha is taking ownership of the initiative because we are fundraising and mobilising support for communities that are the beneficiaries.
“We believe other cultural groupings will emulate this example and take an active role in addressing challenges facing their communities.”
NPL, publishers of The Nation, Weekend Nation, Nation on Sunday and Nation Online (www.mwnation.com), launched the Mother’s Fun Run in 2005 to mobilise resources in partnership with stakeholders for improved maternal and neonatal facilities in public hospitals.
