News

General surgical procedures at Mangochi district hospital are expected to improve after Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (MAGLA) donated an anaesthesia machine worth 26 million Kwacha. Speaking during the official handover ceremony of the anaesthesia machine in Mangochi, Board chairperson for MAGLA Benard Ndau, said the donation falls in line with the institution’s mandate of using part of its generated resources, to improve social services in the communities, while at the same time promoting tourism. He added that Mangochi being one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country for both local and international tourists, there is need for the district to have provision of quality health services because tourists are attracted to sites which have all basic amenities. District Medical officer for Mangochi Dr Mark Kamfunda in his remarks explained how huge of a challenge it has been for the hospital to treat critical cases requiring surgery, after its machine broke down early January this year. He said this resulted into 120 referrals to Zomba district hospital, a move which has proven to be costly for both the hospital and patients. Dr Kamfunda said the donation by MAGLA is timely, and will go a long way in serving the people of Mangochi and surrounding communities. Mangochi district hospital was opened in 1981 and carters for a population of more than 1.3 million people. It is also the main referral hospital for 56 surrounding health centres.

Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority has donated 10 million Kwacha towards the 2023 Nation Publications Limited safe motherhood initiative – mothers’ fun run. In her remarks before making the cheque presentation in Blantyre, MAGLA Director General Rachel Mijiga emphasized on the need for all citizenry to take the responsibility of ensuring that mothers give birth in a safe and healthy environment, in order to reduce maternal deaths. She added that households are part of the institutions that form the economic structure and a mother holds that institution, as such, functional households, with healthy mothers will lead to having productive youths who contribute greatly to the economic development of the country. Therefore, she called upon corporate citizens, to invest in safe motherhood for Mother Malawi to have a healthy pipeline of productive youths that feed into the labour market for the efficient and effective operations of economic sectors, hence MAGLA’s support to the noble cause. Receiving the donation, deputy CEO for NPL Alfred Ntonga expressed gratitude for MAGLA’s gesture, saying it will go a long way in saving the lives of mothers and children in Malawi. This year, the initiative targets Nkhatabay District Hospital and 23 surrounding health centres. Over 200 million Kwacha is expected to be raised for the cause.

The Malawi Gaming & Lotteries Authority (MAGLA) was the main sponsor for this year’s Mulanje Mountain Porters Race which was held on Saturday in Mulanje, in which Evance Nyazule won in the men’s category while Teresa triumphed in the women’s section. The event was graced by high profile guests the Minister of Tourism , Vera Kantukule (Guest of Honour), Malawi National Council of Sports Board Chairperson, Sunduzwayo Madise , Malawi Gaming & Lotteries Authority Director General, Rachel Mijiga and the District Commissioner for Mulanje, David Gondwe.

The Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (MAGLA) organized a one-day conference with all Gaming and Lottery Operators. This conference was held in Blantyre at Sunbird Mount Soche Hotel on 15th June 2023, from 09:00 am to 16:00 pm. The aim of the conference was to give gaming and lottery operators a platform to express their experiences and challenges faced in the industry, gain more insight into Money Laundering issues (as presented by FIA) And Gambling issues (Presented by St. John of God Hospitaller Services). This meeting also gave the MAGLA an opportunity to convey expectations and get feedback from the operators.