NPL, partners raise K20m for mothers

Nation Publications Limited (NPL) yesterday held its signature corporate social responsibility initiative, Mother’s Day Fun Run, in Rumphi with a donation of healthcare items worth over K20 million (about $50 000) for health facilities in the district.

NPL employees, project partners, sponsors, local communities and other well-wishers braved the sweltering October heat to run for the lives of mothers and children, covering a distance of about two kilometres.

The Fun Run started at the district council offices, through the district’s business area and ended at the district hospital where the main event took place.

Speaking at the function, Rumphi district medical officer Jonathan Chiwanda said the donation will help promote safe motherhood and reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in the district.

Chiwanda said the maternal mortality rate for the district is 98 per 100 000 births while the infant mortality rate stands at 14 per 1 000 births.

“This donation will help reduce these figures even more,” he said.

Representatives of various partners in the project commended NPL for introducing the initiative and pledged continued support to the project.

Said UN resident coordinator Mia Seppo: “The UN in Malawi would really like to compliment you greatly for your commitment in mobilising funds, equipment and supplies for pregnant women, new mothers and neonates and thus reduce delay in receiving adequate care.”

NPL deputy chief executive officer Alfred Ntonga, who was speaking on behalf of NPL CEO Mbumba Achuthan, said the company came up with the initiative after noticing the challenges faced by the nation in improving maternal health.

“We can only achieve that goal if we collectively champion the cause of women and children. This is a challenge that we at NPL realise cannot be achieved by government alone; hence, our continued efforts to promote safe motherhood through engagement of the private sector, international organisations and individuals to participate in the ight,” said Ntonga.

Mother’s Fun Run is NPL’s corporate social responsibility initiative that promotes safe motherhood and fights maternal and infant deaths through provision of healthcare items to government hospitals and health centres in the country.

Since it launched the initiative in 2005, NPL has mobilised over K60 (about $150 000)million worth of maternal healthcare items from various strategic partners, sponsors and individuals for health institutions in the country.

This year’s event has been supported by Dossani Trust, Press Trust, UNFPA, World Vision International (Malawi), Save the Children, FINCA Malawi, Reserve Bank of Malawi, Kamuzu Academy, National Bank of Malawi, Kips Ice Cream Parlour, 5-Star Entertainment, FMB, Conforzi Tea Estates, Candlex, Carsberg Malawi, Pep Stores, Budget Superatte, Overseas Discount Shop, Honourable Enoch Chihana and Dr Loveness Kaunda.

Assorted maternal healthcare equipment and supplies will benefit Rumphi District Hospital, David Gordon Memorial Hospital as well as Katowo and Chitimba health centres in the district.

This brings the number of health institutions that have benefitted from the initiative across the country to 17.