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Malawi News

Strengthening Immunity, One Dose at a Time: Malawi’s IPV2 Success Story

In the heart of Southern Africa, Malawi has taken a bold step in the fight against polio. After reporting its first case of Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1) after 30 years in 2022, the country responded with urgency and resolve. By May 2024, thanks to multiple vaccination campaigns, vigilant surveillance and strengthened immunization systems, Malawi was declared polio-free once again. But the journey didn’t end there.

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Malawi Secures Gains Against Polio, Strengthens Health Systems for the Future

Lilongwe-As Malawi celebrates its first anniversary after officially closing its reimported wild poliovirus (WPV1) outbreak, the country is taking strategic steps to sustain hard-won gains and strengthen its broader health system. On 24 April 2025, health leaders, partners, and stakeholders gathered for the National Polio Transition Planning meeting, an important milestone in ensuring that the infrastructure built to eradicate polio continues to serve Malawi’s communities for years to come.

From Polio Response to Long-Term Resilience

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Malawi Secures Gains Against Polio, Strengthens Health Systems for the Future

As Malawi celebrates its first anniversary after officially closing its reimported wild poliovirus (WPV1) outbreak, the country is taking strategic steps to sustain hard-won gains and strengthen its broader health system. On 24 April 2025, health leaders, partners, and stakeholders gathered for the National Polio Transition Planning meeting, an important milestone in ensuring that the infrastructure built to eradicate polio continues to serve Malawi’s communities for years to come.

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Malawi Launches National Immunization Strategy During African Vaccination Week

Lilongwe – The Government of Malawi, through the Ministry of Health, officially launched the National Immunization Strategy (NIS) 2025–2030, a bold initiative designed to increase vaccine coverage, combat preventable diseases, and support the country’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The launch coincides with African Vaccination Week, celebrated from April 24 to 30 under the theme: “Immunization for All is Humanly Possible.”

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Awareness campaign on prevention of Mpox in Lilongwe communities: a response activit...

On 16 April 2025, Malawi confirmed its first case of Mpox clade 1b and the Ministry of Health officially declared Mpox an outbreak on 17 April 2025. The first detected case involved a 30-year-old male who presented with symptoms consistent with Mpox in Lilongwe, notably, with no recent travel out of the country, suggesting possible local transmission. Within a week of the first case, three more cases were confirmed from Lilongwe and Mangochi.

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Embracing routine immunization

ZOMBA – For the next two weeks, Edna Jairosi and her infant daughter Yanko (20 months) will camp together along the shores of Lake Chilwa in Malawi. They will join hundreds of other men and women who rely on this huge body of water to put food on the table.

Edna, a fish trader, earns her living from Lake Chilwa. However, the remote location lacks access to essential health and social services, leaving these communities vulnerable and at risk for various diseases and health challenges.

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Safeguarding against health risks in Malawi in wake of Cyclone Chido

Lilongwe – George Jammuh, officer in-charge at Mganja health centre in Dedza district in southern Malawi clearly recalls the day in mid-December 2024 when Cyclone Chido made landfall. “The day of the cyclone was a very scary day for our staff and patients,” he says. “The nurse on duty hid in a corner as she watched the roof blow off. Everything changed from that time because of the extensive damage to the facility, all services were halted.”

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Malawi Assesses Its Needs for Effective Implementation of the WHO Framework Conventi...

Malawi has recognized the importance of tobacco control in national health strategies and development plans. The National Cancer Control Strategic Plan 2019-2029 includes the objective to reduce the use of and exposure to tobacco and tobacco products. The National Action Plan for the Prevention and Management of NCDs in Malawi 2022 identifies tobacco use as a leading NCD risk factor. The National Health Financing Strategy 2023-2030 supports using tobacco taxes as an innovative health financing mechanism.

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