By Chancy Namadzunda:
Banja la Mtsogolo (BLM) has supported this year’s Sand Music Festival with K10 million kwacha.
Impakt Events Management, organisers of the annual festival, announced that the 12th edition will take place at Kambiri Beach in Salima between September 30 and October 2.
Speaking during the hand over ceremony in Lilongwe on Tuesday, BLM Country Director Tenaw Bawoke said by supporting the festival, they want to take it as an opportunity to remind Malawians about the importance of good health
“We have been in Malawi for 34 years from 1987 and our commitment to meeting the health needs of Malawians remains unwavering. With different public health issues in our midst, we wish to take the festival as an opportunity to remind Malawians about the importance of good health.
“Recently, we have launched women’s wellness services covering every stage of a woman from mensuration to menopause. These services will be provided by experts in our 25 clinics across Malawi. Services to be provided under this package include ultrasound scanning, fertility counselling, menopause services and maternity services among others.
“The World Health Organization rightly defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This definition means health needs to be a continuum of care spanning through different stages of life. We cannot talk of good health when we see infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases still on the increase. We cannot talk of good health if access to reproductive health services still remains a challenge.
“This is why in addition to the women wellness services, Banja La Mtsogolo in its 25 clinics across Malawi screen and treat different non-communicable diseases including High blood pressure, diabetes, gout and cervical cancer and also general communicable diseases including Malaria, sexually transmitted infections and water borne diseases among others. The clinics also have ultrasound imagining services and offer laboratory services. Under its social marketing wing, BLM also sales Manyuchi condoms, emergency contraceptives, pregnancy test kits, and other SRH products,” he said
Bawoke said at the festival, BLM will have a team of dedicated health providers providing health care in form of counselling, screening for non-communicable diseases, and providing first aid treatment.
“BLM will also supply high quality Manyuchi Premium condoms to the festival patrons. BLM believes in privacy and confidentiality. We want to encourage people to talk to us about their different health needs. We have a dedicated toll-free line in BLM and the number is 1131. Talk to us on this line for your health needs,” he said.
In an interview, Impakt Events Managing Director Lucius Banda said the support has come at a right time when preparations for the festival are almost done.
“We thank Banja la Mtsogolo for coming forward to support this year’s festival. When we were starting, we had no capital but a big heart and determination. Over the years, the festival has grown and so is the budget. The festival runs through partnerships so we are happy to have partners such as Banja la Mtsogolo coming forward,” he said.
