By Alice Ndunya
Social accountability and local advocacy methodology are said to be one effective way to underscore participatory budgeting and social audits among other initiatives which are geared at fostering quality and responsive service delivery.
On the other hand, it’s absence undermines the principles of good governance in a democratic society.
In a bid to mobilize citizens with an active participation to mitigate challenges in service delivery, World Vision Malawi (WVM) in partnership with Machinga District Council introduced Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) groups, an approach aimed at empowering communities to improve the relationship between government and the people for better service delivery.
For ages, communities have struggled to access portable drinking water, quality health care for pregnant mothers and babies as well as inadequate resources for school.
Thanks for the partnership that has made it possible for communities to demand necessary services required in their communities.
Hawa Shani, from Kawanura village, Senior Chief Chamba’s area, who is a mother of four children and the first woman to put to bed at the newly constructed maternity wing at Chamba Health Center shares her motherhood experience.
“ It was during the last month of my first pregnancy, that I was asked to go to St Luke’s hospital to be closely monitored.
“Coming from a poor background, it was hard for us to mobilize adequate resources like enough food to last for the waiting period at labour ward, money to cover transport expenses on top of other essential needs,” she adds .
For Shani, that experience passed on in a repetitive wave up to her third child.
That intells both physical and mental exhaustion coming from humps and bumps on un tarmac road, to a distance of approximately 15 kilometers, equivalent to 49,212.6 on foot.
Unbeknownst, one could think, using azamba during childbirth is a better option or in other case, risk delivering on the road, which according to medical personnel, has so many health repulsion.
The Director of Health and social Services, Dr Jones Chise acknowledged some of challenges that families encounter due to the absence of health care services.
“ We had an increase in maternal and neonatal deaths before the inception of maternity wing here at Chamba, this was as a result of failure to reach to the hospital on time.
“There were cases where women were delivering on their way to the hospital while others delivered at home without trained personnel at their disposal, “ says Dr Chise.
In a twist of event, for villagers in TA Chamba, the interventions that has stemmed out from previous year interface meeting are quite remarkable with the construction of a maternity wing which has reduced the distance traveled to receive maternal care at Malosa in Zomba district.
The expression on Hawa Shani as she continues narrating her experience at Chamba Health Center beams hope and excitement since she was relieved of the previous challenges she had endured.
“I am happy and thankful because the maternity wing assured me of my safety and comfort as a mother.
“It was around 9pm on April 8 this year that I delivered of my baby at Chamba Health Center and I got the best treatment. We did not even struggle to access water due to the presence of water taps, I considered myself lucky for such experience, “ she concludes.
Advocacy, Campaigns and Safeguarding Manager for WVM, Lizzie Lombe said their organization made interventions through the provision of medical equipment in the maternity ward to supplement other efforts by communities and the Council.
“We provided the facility with beds, equipment for the labour ward and toilets to enhance quality maternal care.
“These are some of the things that they demanded for, a maternity wing which has materialized this year and it is now operational, “ she says.
Lombe continue to say that creating an enabling environment for the promotion of people’s well being, aligns with one of the organization’s pillar.
“ One of our pillar as an organization is provide knowledge to the Communities so that they are able to demand service from duty bearers, so far we are happy with the progress that has been made, “ Lombe adds.
However, Authorities have urged families to understand that the maternity wing stands to promote health care and should not be contradicted to fuel teenage pregnancy which remains a serious concern in Machinga district.
Director of Planning and Development, Noel Dakamau says the government through the council is committed in addressing social economic factors with support from the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to minimize other challenges and as a way of ending teenage pregnancy.
“ The council always strive to strengthen grassroot involvement through targeted interventions for inclusive utilization of the CDFs.
“So far, we have managed to construct the maternity wing in TA Chamba and another one in Mbonechera area, TA Liwonde is underway, “ he adds.
Dakamau also commended efforts made by WVM in their support rendered in various sector including the education and health sector.
“ As the council we also recognize efforts made by WVM in the procurement of desks to facilitate learning, we look forward to seeing other initiatives in the district to foster quality health services and education among other things, “ according to the director.
Senior Chief Chamba bemoaned the troubling trends, especially concerning teenage pregnancy and school dropouts as deeply alarming despite frequent interventions by stakeholders involved.
“ Efforts have been made, now it is our turn as community leaders and parents to take proper actions to encourage our children to work hard in school, adds Senior Chief Chamba 
Inside Chamba Health Center maternity facility. Pic Alice Ndunda (Mana).
In his sound warning, Senior Chief Chamba said he will not let it light with parents who concert to early marriages.
“ A stiff punishment will befall families that will cling on forcing their teenage girls to dropout of school, “ he adds.
Christina Suwajira, who is a Treasurer for Mbonechera CVA group has hailed the WVM and the council for the opportunity given to mobilize themselves as citizens and take active part in development.
“ As community members, we were able to mobilize bricks and sand for the hospital project and we will continue to support the project since it will benefit our area, “ she says.
District Programs Manager for WVM in Machinga, Chrissy Mbewe Stima, proposed that in the long run, the organization will be delighted to see the sustainability indicators that will enable the groups to act beyond the organization’s lead.
“ We would like to see the groups standing on their feet to engage in dialogues with their duty bearers and demand for service without WVM, “ she explains.
World Vision Malawi launched it’s interventions in the district from 2020 and it’s expected to end in 2032.
