Local Organization's Anti-Drug Pilferage Initiative Revamps Health Facilities in Mangochi
The project's impact continues to be felt in the area even after its conclusion in 2022.
Mangochi, Malawi - For years, residents in the area of Senior Chief Makanjira in Mangochi District have grappled with the lack of medical supplies at their local health centres, writes Thabit Mussa.
However, a community-driven initiative led by the Makanjira Development Foundation has brought about a change.
Their drug pilferage prevention project, known as 'The Robust Health Management Campaign,' has significantly improved drug stocks at local health facilities.
"In the past, whenever we got ill and sought medical assistance at our health centers, we could be told there were no drugs and had to buy them in private pharmacies. This was fueled by claims of drug theft by health personnel who allegedly stole government drugs and sold them to pharmacy owners," explained George Issa, a resident of Mikochi village in Makanjira.
The 'Robust Health Management Campaign' (RHMC) introduced a robust accountability and monitoring system in all health centers in Makanjira, enabling community members to actively participate in monitoring health services instead of being passive recipients.
"Through Makanjira Development Foundation, we implemented a project that empowered the people of Makanjira to hold health care providers and the Malawi government through the Mangochi District Health Office accountable by demanding transparency and the provision of effective health care services in all health centers in Makanjira," said Mr. Osman Kennedy, Executive Chairman of Makanjira Development Foundation.
Health centers benefiting from the project include Makanjira, Lulanga, Maganga, and Lugola.
The project's scope extended to six Madinah Social Services (MSS) health clinics owned by the Islamic Health Association that provides free health services to the people of Makanjira.
The MSS's mobile clinics include Namalweso, Mkwanda, Jumbe, Mambo, Lukoloma, and Malamia.
Among the activities implemented in the RHMC project, Makanjira Development Foundation entered into a commercial deal with Airtel Malawi plc for a toll-free service.
This allowed community members to report cases of drug theft to the project team for free at any time.
Thanks to this initiative, the Makanjira Police Station managed to arrest and prosecute culprits upon receiving tips from the citizens.
Additionally, the organization installed suggestion boxes in all targeted six health facilities in Makanjira to give the community a chance to provide feedback on the delivery of health services and report cases of drug pilferage.
This project, with a total grant of 15,000 Euros from the Tilitonse Foundation, was implemented over 12 months from February 2021 in Makanjira, benefiting over 9,600 people, including women, youth, people with disabilities, and those with HIV/AIDS.
"At present, we are able to receive proper medical assistance from our local health centers, unlike in the past. Thanks to the project that Makanjira Development Foundation implemented in 2021," commented Hajrah Hassan, a resident of Makanjira area.
The project's impact continues to be felt in the area even after its conclusion in 2022.
In addition to its work in the health sector, the organization is involved in various projects related to youth empowerment, gender equality, education, and natural resource conservation.