Malawi News

From the 17 to 21 July the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organization country office in Malawi hosted participants from 9 countries in Africa at a workshop on salt reduction and dietary interventions to prevent and control cardiovascular diseases and hypertension in particular. The nine countries represented were South Africa, Lesotho, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botwana, Swaziland, Namibia, Malawi and the Seychelles. The distinguished guests during the opening ceremony were Dr Charles Mwansambo who is the Chief of Health Services, Dr Leslie Mgalula, the Acting WHO Representative for Malawi and Dr Jones Masiye, the Head of the Non-communicable Diseases Unit in the Ministry of Health.

The Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaign started in Lilongwe on 17 April 2018. The vaccine is being administered from 17 to 21 April and is targeting all people that are over one year and living in urban and semi urban areas of Lilongwe city where the cholera outbreak is still active. These areas are within the catchment areas of the following health facilities: Area 18, Kawale, Area 25, African Bible College, St Kizito, Chimwala, Bwaila and Likuni. A total of 500,000 people are expected to receive OCV.

The Government of Malawi has conducted the first round of a vaccination drive to immunize 108 000 people against cholera, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners.

The first round took place from 19-23 February 2018 in Karonga district, which is situated at the northern tip of Malawi, bordering  Tanzania. 

The World Health Organization country office in Malawi conducted an assessment of cholera outbreak control efforts in Karonga district between 18 and 19 January 2018. The WHO mission’s major finding was that the District Epidemic Response Committee under the leadership of the District Health Officer, Dr Phinias Mfune was effectively managing all the partners who were present in the district supporting cholera control activities. “We conduct weekly coordination meetings at the District Counsel chamber. The main aim of the coordination meetings is to ensure that we share information about who is doing what, where and when. In addition, the coordination meetings help us identify gaps in terms of drugs and supplies like chlorine for water treatment, intravenous fluids, personal protective equipment, financial and human resources” Dr Mfune informed the WHO mission during a courtesy call.

On 18 August the Malawi Government launched the National Alcohol Policy at a ceremony that took place at Kantchito Primary School Ground at Bembeke in Dedza District. The guest of Honor for the auspicious occasion was Honorable Minister of Health, Mr Atupele Muluzi MP. Among the distinguished guests were the World Health Organization Representative Dr Eugene Nyarko, the Chief of Health Services, Dr Charles Mwansambo, the Chairman for Southern Africa Alcohol Policy Alliance, Mr Phillip Chimponda Francis and the Executive Director for Drug Fight Malawi, Mr Nelson Zakeyu just to mention a few.