Malawi holds its first ever Walk the Talk: Health for All Challenge event

The first edition of Walk the Talk for Malawi was organized as part of the WHO’s 75th anniversary celebration. The guest of honor at the event was the Minister of Health Honorable Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, MP and was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Health Honorable Halima Daudi MP and the Mayor of the Lilongwe City, His Lordship Councilor Richard Banda.

“Today’s walk provides an opportunity to promote solidarity and to get moving for physical and mental health. The goal of the event is to promote the importance of healthy lifestyles, raise awareness on the pursuit of health for all, and to celebrate the importance of partnership as this year is the 75th anniversary of the WHO,” said Dr Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo.
“Promoting physical healthy activities activity for everyone is a priority for the World Health Organization. What we all would like to see is people of all ages and abilities moving, and calling, for better health for everyone by walking, jogging, dancing and more.”

Regular physical activity is proven to help prevent and manage noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and several cancers. It also helps prevent hypertension, maintain healthy body weight and can improve mental health, quality of life and well-being.
“We are here to demonstrate the importance of staying active and healthy lifestyle. As we strive to improve health and wellbeing of the people of Malawi, physical exercise has proven to be one of the cost-effective ways to keep create a healthier population. This Walk the Talk marks the beginning of our drive to promote health and prevent diseases,” said Honorable Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, Minister of Health.

During the event, participates carried placards that displayed some of the public health milestones that Malawi has accomplished over the years. The WHO’s 75th anniversary year is an opportunity to look back at public health successes that have improved quality of life during the last seven decades, under the theme “Health for All.
Malawi has recorded milestones in eliminating neglected tropical disease. Between 2019 and 2022, Malawi was certified to have eliminated Lymphatic Filariasis and Trachoma as a public health problem. Malawi like many African countries in the region has made progress in universal health coverage. In African region, scaling up essential health services and coverage with key interventions has yielded results. Between 2011 and 2021, new HIV infections in the WHO African Region were reduced by 44% and AIDS-related deaths by 55%. TB deaths in the region fell by 26% between 2015 and 2021. Simultaneously, healthy life expectancy in the African Region increased on average by ten years per person between 2000 and 2019.

During the event, participants were entertained by music and music parade by Malawi Defence Force Brass Band. The first edition of Walk the Talk had over 200 participants.