MALAWI: CCJP Expresses Worry over persisting Social Problems
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| Mr. Martin Chipphwanya, Acting National Secretary CCJP |
The Catholic Commission for
Justice and Peace (CCJP), a social development arm of the Episcopal Conference
of Malawi (ECM), has expressed worry over the continued food and drug shortage
in the country; a situation which the Commission says puts lives of Malawians
at risk.
Justice and Peace (CCJP), a social development arm of the Episcopal Conference
of Malawi (ECM), has expressed worry over the continued food and drug shortage
in the country; a situation which the Commission says puts lives of Malawians
at risk.
CCJP Acting National Secretary,
Martin Chiphwanya has since challenged the Government and other concerned
partners to ensure that the right to food and essential health services is guaranteed
to every Malawian citizen by making sure that maize is available in
Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) deports and that
adequate drug supply is also available in all public hospitals.
Martin Chiphwanya has since challenged the Government and other concerned
partners to ensure that the right to food and essential health services is guaranteed
to every Malawian citizen by making sure that maize is available in
Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) deports and that
adequate drug supply is also available in all public hospitals.
Martin notes that although drugs
could be available in hospitals, in most cases they are stolen and as a result
poor people do not have access to medicine.
could be available in hospitals, in most cases they are stolen and as a result
poor people do not have access to medicine.
“People are dying to
diseases that can easily be cured. Poor people are also feeling the pinch as
they don’t have the financial muscle to buy the medicine from Pharmacies,” he said
adding that “it is worrisome to note that in other cases, more especially in
the villages, people are buying medicines in uncertified shops and pharmacies which
is a big threat to their right to life”.
diseases that can easily be cured. Poor people are also feeling the pinch as
they don’t have the financial muscle to buy the medicine from Pharmacies,” he said
adding that “it is worrisome to note that in other cases, more especially in
the villages, people are buying medicines in uncertified shops and pharmacies which
is a big threat to their right to life”.
Martin observed that so far
there seem no any punitive measures given to those caught in the act of
stealing medicine from public hospitals and in an event that culprits are
caught, not heavy punishment is given to them as the society expects.
there seem no any punitive measures given to those caught in the act of
stealing medicine from public hospitals and in an event that culprits are
caught, not heavy punishment is given to them as the society expects.
“CCJP believes that life is
very sacred and all efforts should be taken to make sure that people’s lives
are not put at any risk,” he added.
very sacred and all efforts should be taken to make sure that people’s lives
are not put at any risk,” he added.
On food shortage situation,
CCJP calls upon government to take necessary measures to make sure that maize
is readily available in all Admarc deports and that those who connive with
Admarc deport officials should be brought to book.
CCJP calls upon government to take necessary measures to make sure that maize
is readily available in all Admarc deports and that those who connive with
Admarc deport officials should be brought to book.
“We urge the Police and
sectors involved to perform their role by ensuring that there is safety for
Malawians who go to Admarc deports to buy maize and that those vendors that buy
maize dubiously should be arrested,” said Chiphwanya.
sectors involved to perform their role by ensuring that there is safety for
Malawians who go to Admarc deports to buy maize and that those vendors that buy
maize dubiously should be arrested,” said Chiphwanya.
He also challenged
politicians who are taking advantage of the scarcity of maize to stop conniving
with Admarc officials and buy maize dubiously with the selfish minds to achieve
their political ambitions by donating in various fora including hospitals and
political meetings.
politicians who are taking advantage of the scarcity of maize to stop conniving
with Admarc officials and buy maize dubiously with the selfish minds to achieve
their political ambitions by donating in various fora including hospitals and
political meetings.
“For instance,
in Chikwawa we have received reports that people are queuing up at Admarc
depots for long hours, some even spending nights in order to buy maize. They
are being allowed to purchase 20 kilograms per person. Currently at local
markets a bag of 50kgs is selling at K13, 000 which is not affordable by many
poor people,” noted Chiphwanya.
in Chikwawa we have received reports that people are queuing up at Admarc
depots for long hours, some even spending nights in order to buy maize. They
are being allowed to purchase 20 kilograms per person. Currently at local
markets a bag of 50kgs is selling at K13, 000 which is not affordable by many
poor people,” noted Chiphwanya.
Meanwhile, President Peter
Mutharika in his state of national address on Wednesday 3rd February
ordered the Police to track down and arrest all criminal maize vendors who
connive with crooked Admarc officials to purchase subsidized maize at night and
resell it to poor citizens at exorbitant prices.
Mutharika in his state of national address on Wednesday 3rd February
ordered the Police to track down and arrest all criminal maize vendors who
connive with crooked Admarc officials to purchase subsidized maize at night and
resell it to poor citizens at exorbitant prices.
Catholic Development
Commission in Malawi (Cadecom), a relief and development arm of ECM is
currently distributing relief food to hunger affected households in some parts
of the country as part of World Food Program.
Commission in Malawi (Cadecom), a relief and development arm of ECM is
currently distributing relief food to hunger affected households in some parts
of the country as part of World Food Program.
By
Prince Henderson, ECM Communications Officer
