First Lady rescues mother, babies

First Lady Monica Chakwera yesterday presented cash and assorted items to Mkondawako Samson of Salima District, a woman who recently gave birth to twin babies with acute malnutrition condition.

The donation included K200 000 cash, milk formula, nappies, blankets, wrappers (zitenje), face masks, squash, sugar, salt, clothes, bags of maize and beans.

The First Lady presented the items through her chief adviser Macduff Phiri at Salima District Hospital where Samson and the two babies— Chisomo (boy) and Chimwemwe (girl)—are hospitalised.

Phiri said the First Lady was moved to take action after learning from the social media about the serious condition of the lady and her twins.

He said: “She got wind of Samson’s situation through the media and also learnt about what other concerned people have already done to help her.

“As a mother and in the spirit of umunthu, she decided to render her support, to complement what others have already done, including the Salima District Health Office and Social Welfare office”.

Samson, who said her condition and that of her twins was improving steadily, hailed the First Lady for the kind gesture, saying it will go a long way in improving her and the twin’s nutritional needs.

Salima district director of health and social services Johns Chise said malnutrition cases were common in the district; hence, called for the strengthening of the health systems, especially at community level to deal with the cases.

He said: “There are a lot of adult and children malnutrition cases in communities and people suffer in silence. Adult malnutrition is a serious problem, apart from treating these cases at the health facility level, there is need for community support.”

Samson, 34, from Kapichile Village, Traditional Authority Pemba, delivered the twins on June 6 and since then she and the twins have been suffering from acute malnutrition. Her tummy also swelled and the hospital is currently managing her condition.