Mchinji beckons well-wishers
Everything is set and all roads lead to the much-awaited 2015 Mothers’ Day Fun Run in Mchinji District on Saturday.
The event—a brainchild of Nation Publications Limited (NPL), publishers of The Nation, Weekend Nation, Nation on Sunday, Fuko and Nation Online (www.mwnation.com)—seeks to raise funds for the acquisition of maternal health equipment for use in public hospitals, annually.
NPL project coordinator Herbert Chagunda was upbeat over the event, saying runners and other participants are ready.
He said: “Everything is set for the Fun Run this Saturday. After the 20- kilometre marathon from Kamwendo to Mchinji Boma, we are going to have a handover ceremony of the medical equipment which will be spiced by traditional dances from the district.”
Mchinji District was chosen because it has one of highest maternal mortality rate in the Central Region and nationwide. Maternal mortality rate is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related complications while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination per 100 000 live births. Recent estimates indicate that Mchinji’s rate stands at 300 maternal deaths per 100 000 lives.
Mchinji district health officer Chimwemwe Banda, said the hospital looks forward to the event, as it will play a crucial role in mobilising resources for the challenges the hospital faces.
The Mothers’ Fun Run, since its inception, has raised about K100 million for 13 health facilities nationwide. n
