News

25 Nov 2010 – Network officially launched

Amidst reports that Malawi may fall short of meeting three of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDG) by 2015, one of which is reduction of maternal mortality rate, the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) has called on stakeholders to intensify efforts to ensure the achievement of the MDG targets in the remaining five years.

The Chairperson of Uchembere Network, Paul Kawale, made this appeal during the official launch of the Network at Mtenthera Community Day Secondary School Ground in Traditional Authority Kalumbu, Lilongwe District.

Uchembere Network is a grouping of the three Synods of CCAP, government departments and other Non-governmental Organizations with an aim of reducing maternal and neonatal deaths.
Kawale said churches needed to mainstream maternal and neonatal health issues in their prayers and services, in addition to the health care services they render to society, as it reaches the most remote parts of the country. He therefore beckoned other players to join the network saying that its doors are open.
The first lady of Malawi Madame Callista Mutharika, who is also the Safe Motherhood Ambassador, graced the occasion. In her remarks she said it is saddening that Malawi continues to lose women due to maternal related complications. There is therefore a need to work in unity to halt the problem.
She then commended the CCAP for taking people’s health seriously and asked other churches to emulate them.

On the other hand, she called on Civil Society organizations to be transparent and accountable to donor support so that vulnerable Malawians benefit as intended.
The Network’s financial support comes from Interchurch Organisation for Development Cooperation (ICCO) from the Netherlands.