Mhone re-elected Congoma chair

UNFPA country representative Athanase Nzokirishaka has described Nation Publications Limited (NPL) Mother’s Day Fun Run initiative as a good gesture on safe motherhood.

Nzokirishaka said this on Saturday during the 2012 NPL Mother’s Day Fun Run in Nkhotakota which has so far raised at least K16 million for different medical equipment and supplies including resuscitaires, oxygen concentrators, beds and autoclaves donated to five health facilities in the district.

“We know that complications of pregnancy and childbirth are leading killers of women. In Malawi, more than 10 women die everyday due to pregnancy-related complications. This figure is unacceptably too high.

“Let me commend Nation Publications Limited for being relentless in its efforts in contributing towards ensuring that no woman dies while giving birth,” said Nzokirishaka.

 He said UNFPA is pleased that the number of sponsors for Mother’s Day Fun Run continues to grow since 2005 when NPL launched the initiative.

 NPL chief executive officer Mbumba Achuthan commended several organisations and individuals for supporting the company’s fun run, adding that saving lives of mothers is crucial to enhancing family and national development.

“When a mother dies, children lose their primary caregiver thereby compromising the rights of the rest of the family. A woman’s death is more than a personal tragedy. It represents an enormous cost to her nation, her community and her family,” said Achuthan.