18/04/2026
First Lady urges hygiene adherence in Thyolo
First Lady, Gertrude Mutharika, has urged Malawians to prioritise hygiene and cleanliness to prevent the spread of diseases, saying maintaining a clean environment is key to protecting public health.
Mutharika made the call on Saturday at Goliati in Thyolo, where she was distributing assorted relief items to 750 households through the Beautify Malawi Trust with support from Muslim World League.
She said hygiene should not depend on having many resources but rather on using what is available.
“Cleanliness is not about what you do not have, but about what you have. Let us use the little we have to keep our surroundings clean,” she said.
She added that homes, markets, schools and communities must be kept clean at all times to avoid preventable illnesses.
“If we maintain hygiene in our homes and public places, we will prevent many diseases and build a better nation,” she added, while commending partners for supporting communities with various interventions.
Traditional Authority Chimaliro hailed the First Lady and BEAM for the timely support, saying it will help address challenges people are facing due to hunger.
“This support has come at the right time and will go a long way in assisting our people who are struggling,” he said.
He also commended government for providing relief maize over the past three months, adding that it has eased the burden on many households.
However, he appealed for improved access to clean water, saying: “Water remains a big challenge here. Even at Goliati Market, we risk waterborne diseases. We are asking for boreholes as we wait for piped water”.
Speaking earlier, Muslim League World National Coordinator Twaibu Mustafa described the First Lady as a caring leader who listens to the needs of the vulnerable.
“Being a First Lady is not just a title, but a listening ear for the hurting,” he said.
Mustafa added that the Muslim World League supports over 7,000 orphans across Malawi with school fees, uniforms and learning materials, alongside providing clean water and houses for the elderly.
On water challenges, Mustafa pledged support to Goliati Market, saying: “We will work on installing boreholes here to help address the problem as communities wait for piped water systems”.
During the distribution, 750 households received maize flour, soya pieces, salt and blankets.
