Nation Publications Limited (NPL), through its safe motherhood initiative, the Mother’s Fun Run (MFR), Saturday handed over medical equipment and supplies worth K672 million to Mzimba North District, the campaign’s beneficiary for 2026.
The handover ceremony, held at Katoto Secondary School Ground in Mzuzu, marked the culmination of this year’s fundraising campaign, which surpassed its K500 million target by K172 million. The funds have been used to procure critical medical equipment and supplies, including delivery beds, oxygen concentrators, wheelchairs, ambu bags, thermometers, sterilisers and medicines.
Speaking during the event, representative of Inkosi ya Makhosi M’Mbelwa V and Mzimba Heritage Association (Mziha) secretary general Khumbo Soko commended NPL for selecting Mzimba North as this year’s beneficiary and urged health workers to safeguard the equipment.
Said Soko: “The difference between life and death can be something as simple as a thermometer or an oxygen concentrator. We are therefore deeply grateful to NPL for bringing this support to our doorstep. The equipment will go a long way in improving healthcare services in the district.
“We are fortunate that NPL selected Mzimba North this year. Considering that there are about 30 districts in the country, it may take many years before the initiative returns here. That is why we must take good care of this equipment.”
Mzimba North director of health services Wamaka Musopole also applauded NPL and its partners for the support, but said significant challenges remain in the district’s health facilities.
She said: “Some of our facilities lack toilets, bathrooms, electricity and piped water. Others are not connected to the national power grid, which means certain equipment cannot be used effectively. In some facilities, water is still drawn from boreholes.
“Transportation is another major challenge. The entire district has only two functional ambulances, while nine others require maintenance.”
A representative of MFR sleepover participants, Nico Holdings plc group head of marketing and customer experience Tawemi Gondwe-Xaba said the private sector has a responsibility to support such initiatives because the beneficiaries are also their current and future customers, employees and business partners.
She said: “Our businesses depend on healthy communities. When people face challenges in accessing healthcare, we have a duty to contribute towards solutions. As Nico, we recognise the direct link between improved healthcare and economic activity, which ultimately creates opportunities for everyone.”
WaterAid country director Peter Phiri called for greater collaboration among stakeholders to address challenges facing the health sector.
“It is not government’s responsibility alone,” he said. “All of us must work together to improve the situation and ensure better health outcomes for our communities.”
NPL chief executive officer Mbumba Banda announced that Balaka District will be the focus of next year’s Mother’s Fun Run campaign and appealed to both corporate institutions and individuals to continue supporting the initiative.
She said: “The impact is evident. Wherever we provide equipment or improve infrastructure, lives are saved. We have seen districts where, within a short period, health indicators begin to improve.
“Sometimes a facility simply lacks the tools needed to make timely and accurate diagnoses. Once those tools are provided, healthcare workers are better able to respond to patients’ needs.
“People continue to support this cause because these are the facilities used by their mothers, sisters, wives and daughters. You never know when a loved one may need these services, and when that time comes, they deserve access to the right equipment and care.”
The event began with a tour of Mzuzu Urban Community Hospital, where guests were given an appreciation of the healthcare challenges facing facilities in Mzimba North.
