Nkhotakota District Council

24/04/2026

Community members in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Mwadzama can now breathe a sigh of relief following the introduction of monthly outreach clinics aimed at bringing essential health services closer to the people.

The initiative launched on Thursday in the district is spearheaded by Umunthu Plus Organisation, which aims to target persons with disabilities, people living with HIV and AIDS, adolescent girls and boys, and pregnant and lactating women in Manyamba Village.

One of the beneficiaries, Khumbidze Kadango, who lives with a disability, commended the organization for the timely intervention, noting that she previously struggled to access medical care due to the long distances to the nearest facility.

"I am really grateful for the healthcare support. I used to travel long distances to Kapiri Health Center, which was very difficult due to the lack of reliable transportation," Kadango said.

Echoing these sentiments, Group Village Head (GVH) Manyamba hailed the organization for coming to the rescue of his subjects, stating that the project has significantly improved service delivery in the area.

"There was a huge gap in accessing health services because facilities are located far from our community. The coming of this project has helped save lives and ensured that our people have access to reproductive health services," said the traditional leader.

Umunthu Plus Organisation Field Officer for the ‘Bridging the Gap in HIV Service Delivery’ project, Mathias Nkhoma, explained that the monthly clinics are designed to reach under served populations with a comprehensive package of care.

"We conduct monthly outreach clinics that include HIV testing, antenatal health talks, and education on sexual reproductive rights. Our goal is to improve health outcomes in areas that are far from static health facilities," Nkhoma said.

The project is being implemented with financial support from Egmont Trust

22/04/2026

The Ministry of Education has pledged commitment to support communities in Nkhotakota on matters of maternal and reproductive health through the Bridging Hope Project.

Speaking during a technical committee meeting held Tuesday at Nkhotakota Pottery Lodge, Director of Inclusive Education, School Health and Nutrition, Virginia Kachigunde, said comprehensive sexuality education is already part of the curriculum, making it easier to address gaps identified in Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) and extend information to learners at grassroots level.
“We cannot fight fistula if we do not address adolescents about their health,” stressed Kachigunde.

Acting District Commissioner, Mathias Blugama, commended the Embassy of Iceland for funding the project, saying it addresses critical community needs. He urged officers to work diligently to build donor confidence as the project contributes to reducing maternal mortality and morbidity in Nkhotakota.

First Secretary at the Embassy of Iceland, Siggi Geirsson, reaffirmed the embassy’s commitment to supporting interventions aligned with its vision and called on implementing partners to collaborate towards achieving the project’s goals.

The Bridging Hope Project, Empowering Women with Obstetric Fistula, is a three-year initiative supported by UNFPA and funded by the Government of Iceland to the tune of USD 1,061,911.38. It runs up to 2027 and covers all Traditional Authorities in the District.

UNFPA Malawi Embassy of Iceland in Lilongwe

18/04/2026

Nkhotakota District Council yesterday visited people who were affected by the recent Floods that occurred due to prolonged heavy rainfall that hit hard in early April this year in the areas of T/A Kanyenda and Kafuzira in the District.

Speaking during the visit, Nkhotakota District Council Acting District Commissioner Mathias Blugama assured the affected people of immediate support and has further asked other partners to to come to their rescue and also advised people who still live in floods prone areas to move immediately in-order to protect and save their lives.

One of the Affected Person Ruth Malengamoyo from Munjile Village T/A Kanyenda said that currently they have been placed in churches lacking food, Shelter and other basic needs and has expressed worry on their ability to take some of their affected children to school Since the schools will be resuming soon.

Nkhotakota District Council Department of Disaster Management Affairs Officer Romatchinga Nkhata Said that the preliminary reports indicate that almost 520 households have been affected by the recent Floods in the District

15/04/2026

Nkhotakota District Council, in collaboration with China Railway 20th Bureau Cooperation Group (CR20) and the Roads Authority, have today rolled out an awareness campaign and engagement meetings aimed at sensitising communities on environmental safety, social issues, and community protection during the ongoing rehabilitation of the M5 Road from Benga to Dwangwa.

The campaign is targeting key trading centres including Mkaika Market, Matamangwe, Chibothera, and Chia in Nkhotakota District, where construction activities are currently underway.

Speaking during the launch, Nkhotakota Police Station Traffic Officer Sergeant Herbert Kamwanza urged communities to refrain from removing public signage, warning that such actions could lead to road accidents. He further advised pedestrians and children to use designated safe pathways when crossing the road during construction works to avoid deadly accidents that cn occur during construction.

Nkhotakota District Council Trade Officer Clara Kadzuwa urged traders and business owners to maintain stable prices and safeguard their goods as CR20 intensifies construction activities along the route.

The rehabilitation of the M5 Road is expected to improve connectivity and boost economic activity in the district, while the awareness campaign seeks to ensure that communities remain safe and informed throughout the project’s implementation.

07/04/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE

02/04/2026

Nkhotakota District Education Office and Save the Children today visited Chauma primary school to assess possibilities of the reopening of the school following closure after floods hit the school damaging school blocks and other properties.

The situation still remains a concern. Headmaster for Chauma primary School Dastan Kwacha says the school currently holds 30 learners 17 boys and 13 girls and has been facing challenges due to the Floods which made it difficult for the Children to go to school and sometimes they could use canoes to get to school hence its closure.

Nkhotakota District Chief Education Officer Alfred Conscious Chidiwa said the situation is very critical and the school has become an unsafe environment in the middle of Chauma island on Lake Malawi and says they will take it up with the Ministry for further guidance.

24/03/2026

19/03/2026

Nkhotakota District Police Station has today Conducted a Security Executive Committee Meeting (SEC) on Crime Status report, Child related issues Especially on Early Marriages, Early Pregnancies, School Dropouts as well as Cases of Road Accidents in the District.

Speaking during the Meeting Nkhotakota Police Station Officer In Charge Dr Gift Chiundila raised Concern on rising cases of Teenage Pregnancies and early Marriages and also highlighted that Currently they are holding Children aged between 10 to 15 years in Custody for various serious offences.

19/03/2026

Nkhotakota District Hospital has disclosed plans to Conduct Polio Vaccination targeting Children of 10 years below as one way to Boost immunity and prevent the spread of Polio virus in the District.

Speaking during a Media Briefing on Wednesday, Health Promotions Officer For Nkhotakota District Hospital Garry Chilinga emphasized that the campaign targets to reach out to 132,078 Children across the District between 24 and 27 march and will be conducted through door to door and by the health workers in schools, health Facilities and all special sites designated to give polio Vaccination.

"Polio is a highly infectious disease that can cause muscle weakness, paralysis and can also cause death, so we thought it wise to come up with the Polio Vaccination Compaign as one of the best ways to protect children from the disease aswell as to prevent the spread of the Poliovirus," Said Chilinga.

Chilinga further said the disease can spread through contaminated food and water and also contact with the infected person and has urged parents, Traditional leaders, communities as well as church leaders to help spread the information and allow their children to get Vaccinated in order to save their lives.

The Ministry Of Health and Sanitation declared a Polio Vaccination campaign and implemented a number of strategies to prevent Poliovirus following one confirmed case of a seven years old child who was diagnosed with Polio in Blantyre.

04/03/2026

Nkhotakota Youth and Community Development (Youth Code) is today hosting a motivational engagement meeting with its leaners with an aim of motivating them and encouraging them to share the centres information with other youths in the district to take advantage of its availability and enroll for vocational trainings with the centre.

Speaking during the meeting held at Youth Code premises in the district, Executive Director for youth code Robert M'baya said the vocational training sector is providing more employment to the youth and as such deserves to be promoted so that many youths can receive trainings both formal and Informal and be able to create jobs n buisnesses for themselves.

M'baya stressed that their qualifications are certified by Teveta and assured learners of equal Job opportunities in their respective indistries upon completion of their trainings.

Board Chair for Youth Code Vincent Sittima-Phiri encouraged learners to focus on their trainings now and be assured that their trainings would guarantee a future for them to work in the formal and informal sectors securing their future as leaders of tomorow.

He further encouraged girls to refrain from early marriages and take the opportunity to enroll and equip themselves with skills that will help them be self sustainable and productive in their respective communities.

Favour kalima, a Fashon designing student at the institution says this meeting was an enlightment to them to work hard knowing these trainings are what will build their careers in future.

Youthcode opened its doors in 1997 and was formerly known as Nkhotakota youth organisation and started its technical trainings in 2004 with support from MASAF.

04/03/2026

Nkhotakota District Council and The Department of District Disaster Management and the Malawi Red Cross, are currently assessing people affected by the recent floods through data collection in the areas of T/A Kalimanjira and T/A Nkhanga.

Those eligible will receive 90 thousand kwacha per household for three months to help address their needs after the floods that hit the district late last year and early this year.

The assessment is part of the ongoing efforts to support communities impacted by the floods.

The Malawi Red Cross has been actively involved in providing relief, including cash assistance and non-food items, to help affected families recover.

03/03/2026