Salima in community-based integrated health project
Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) Salima district officer Manfoster Moyo has said his organisation is currently implementing an Integrated Community- based Healthcare project to promote health services to vulnerable communities.
He said this on Monday at Mbalame Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Khombedza in Salima during a blood donation initiative.
blood donor at the function
Moyo said the project has four components targeting 161 villages,translating to about 4 700 households in T/A Khombedza and 4 700 households, focusing on water, sanitation, health, promotion and awareness of donating blood and capacity building.
He said MRCS started the blood donation exercise last year and have been conducting community sensitisation meetings together with Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS), Salima District Health Office (DHO) and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
“Last year, we did not do very well as we only collected 12 units of blood in T/A Khombedza because of not involving community structures such as the Village Development Committees [VDCs].
“This year, we have incorporated various stakeholders such as Area Development Committees [ADCs] and VDCs and we have done well because between July and September, we have collected 258 units,” said Moyo.
He said Salima District alone needs almost 300 units of blood per month.
Blood donor, Martin Kuthambo, of Chipwedzenga Village in the area said he was happy to donate blood to assist patients in hospitals.
The three-year MRCS project which is also being implemented in Mzima started in April 2014 and is being funded by the Switzerland Red Cross. n
