PHIM Strengthens Capacity in Evidence-Informed Policy-Making to Bridge Research-Policy Gap.

PHIM Trains Researchers and Implementers in Evidence-Informed Policy-Making to Bridge Research-Policy Gap | PHIM

By Dr. Bernard Mvula |

2–5 March 2026 5 min read Mponela

Mponela

Participants and facilitators at the Evidence-Informed Policy Making (EIPM) Training Workshop at Linde Hotel, Mponela. Photo: Alex Thawani

To ensure that public health research directly translates into high-impact policies and programs across Malawi, the Research Division of the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) convened a four-day intensive training workshop on Evidence-Informed Policy Making (EIPM) from 2 to 5 March 2026 at Linde Hotel in Mponela.

The workshop was implemented under the Malawi Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Project (MHEPRR). It specifically targeted 30 researchers and program implementers from PHIM, providing them with hands-on skills to synthesize, critically appraise, and package scientific evidence into actionable policy briefs, infographics, and analytical factsheets for decision-makers.

Addressing the Research-to-Policy Gap

While generating robust public health research is critical for improving health outcomes and strengthening national health systems under the One Health framework, a persistent bottleneck remains: research evidence often stays confined to academic journals rather than being translated into accessible, timely formats for policymakers.

Opening the workshop, Dr. Matthew Kagoli emphasized that bridging this translation gap is essential for building a resilient public health system that responds proactively to health emergencies and population needs.

Core Mandate of PHIM Research Division

“The use of research evidence in policymaking is non-negotiable for sustainable health system strengthening. Our goal is to empower PHIM researchers not only to generate evidence, but to actively drive its uptake through clear, policy-relevant knowledge products.”
— Dr. Bernard Mvula, Head of Knowledge Management, PHIM Research Division

Collaborative Delivery & EVIPNet Framework

The training was facilitated collaboratively by experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Clinical Research Education and Management Services (CREAMS), the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), and PHIM leadership.

Training materials were adapted from the WHO-backed Evidence-Informed Policy Network (EVIPNet) resources, structured around four core learning pillars:

1 Evidence Synthesis & Critical Appraisal

Participants learned methods to systematically evaluate research quality, identify methodological bias, and determine contextual relevance to local health priorities.

Rapid evidence reviews
Critical appraisal toolkits

2 Stakeholder & Power Analysis

Focusing on understanding decision-making pathways, identifying key policy champions, and mapping stakeholder influence to align research timing with policy windows.

Power & interest mapping
Strategic advocacy pitches

EIPM Facilitation and Interactive Presentation Session

Interactive Facilitation & Presentations WHO, CREAMS, and PHIM facilitators leading modules on evidence synthesis, appraisal frameworks, and knowledge translation.

PHIM researchers and participants in group discussions

Hands-On Group Work & Policy Brief Drafting PHIM researchers and program implementers actively collaborating on policy briefs, infographics, and analytical factsheets.

Hands-On Policy Product Generation

Through real-world case simulations, participants drafted concise policy briefs, visual infographics, and analytical factsheets addressing major health challenges in Malawi. The teams defended their proposals in simulated policy advocacy pitches before a panel of facilitators.

Key Recommendations & Next Steps

To sustain the gains from this workshop, PHIM and its development partners identified four strategic priority actions:

Institutionalizing Translation Mechanisms: Establish formal internal structures within PHIM to systematically synthesize research and produce regular policy briefs.
Expanding Training Scope: Scale up EIPM capacity-building to include researchers and program officers from other Ministry of Health departments and district-level health offices.
Sustained Researcher-Policymaker Platforms: Create permanent dialogue platforms connecting researchers directly with policymakers to foster continuous uptake of evidence.
Dedicated Mentorship Programs: Institute ongoing mentorship to support staff in refining draft policy products into published decision tools.

MHEPRR Project

Emergency Preparedness & Resilience

WHO EVIPNet

Evidence-Informed Policy Network

KUHeS & CREAMS

Academic & Research Capacity Building

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        <img src=”https://phim.health.gov.mw/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/policy-making-meeting3.jpg” alt=”EIPM Training Workshop Participants and Facilitators at Linde Hotel, Mponela” class=”wp-image-2026 rounded-lg shadow-md” />
        <figcaption class=”text-xs text-slate-500 mt-2 text-center italic”>Participants and facilitators at the Evidence-Informed Policy Making (EIPM) Training Workshop at Linde Hotel, Mponela (2–5 March 2026).</figcaption>
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<p class=”has-drop-cap”><strong>MPONELA, MALAWI</strong> — To ensure that public health research directly translates into high-impact health policies and programs across Malawi, the Research Division of the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) conducted a four-day intensive training workshop on <strong>Evidence-Informed Policy Making (EIPM)</strong> from <strong>2 to 5 March 2026</strong> at Linde Hotel in Mponela.</p>

<p>The initiative was implemented under the <strong>Malawi Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Project (MHEPRR)</strong>. It targeted 30 researchers and program implementers from PHIM, strengthening their capacity to synthesize, critically appraise, and translate public health research into actionable policy briefs, infographics, and analytical factsheets.</p>

<h2>Bridging the Research-to-Policy Gap</h2>
    <p>While generating public health research is vital under the One Health framework, a gap often persists between research findings and policy decision-making. Research evidence frequently remains confined to scientific journals rather than accessible formats for decision-makers.</p>

<blockquote class=”wp-block-quote”>
        <p><em>”The use of research evidence in policymaking is critical for sustainable health system strengthening. Our goal is to empower PHIM researchers not only to generate evidence, but to actively drive its uptake through clear, policy-relevant knowledge products.”</em></p>
        <cite>Moses Nyambalo Phiri</cite>
    </blockquote>

<h2>Collaborative Facilitation & Frameworks</h2>
    <p>The workshop was facilitated collaboratively by experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Clinical Research Education and Management Services (CREAMS), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), and PHIM. Course materials were adapted from the WHO Evidence-Informed Policy Network (EVIPNet) resources.</p>

<h2>Key Workshop Pillars</h2>
    <ul>
        <li><strong>Evidence Synthesis & Critical Appraisal:</strong> Training in systematic literature reviews, identifying methodological bias, and evaluating evidence relevance to local health priorities.</li>
        <li><strong>Stakeholder & Power Analysis:</strong> Understanding decision-making processes, identifying key champions, and mapping stakeholder influence to align research timing with policy windows.</li>
        <li><strong>Knowledge Translation Products:</strong> Hands-on practice drafting policy briefs, infographics, and analytical factsheets.</li>
        <li><strong>Policy Advocacy Pitches:</strong> Simulated exercises where groups presented and defended policy proposals before panel reviewers.</li>
    </ul>

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                    <img src=”https://phim.health.gov.mw/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/policy-making-meeting1.jpg” alt=”Interactive Facilitation and Presentations during EIPM Workshop” />
                    <figcaption class=”text-xs text-slate-500 italic mt-1″>Interactive presentations and evidence appraisal sessions during the EIPM workshop in Mponela.</figcaption>
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                    <img src=”https://phim.health.gov.mw/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/policy-making-meeting2.jpg” alt=”Group Work and Policy Brief Drafting” />
                    <figcaption class=”text-xs text-slate-500 italic mt-1″>PHIM participants collaborating during practical group exercises to draft policy briefs and infographics.</figcaption>
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<h2>Activity Summary</h2>
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            <thead>
                <tr>
                    <th>Metric / Detail</th>
                    <th>Information</th>
                </tr>
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            <tbody>
                <tr>
                    <td><strong>Event Dates</strong></td>
                    <td>2–5 March 2026</td>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <td><strong>Venue</strong></td>
                    <td>Linde Hotel, Mponela</td>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <td><strong>Organizing Unit</strong></td>
                    <td>PHIM Research Division (Knowledge Management Section)</td>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <td><strong>Project Context</strong></td>
                    <td>Malawi Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Project (MHEPRR)</td>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <td><strong>Participants</strong></td>
                    <td>41 Total (30 Officer Cadres: 19 Male, 11 Female; 11 Support Drivers)</td>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <td><strong>Facilitating Partners</strong></td>
                    <td>WHO, CREAMS, KUHeS, PHIM Research Division</td>
                </tr>
            </tbody>
        </table>
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<h2>Strategic Next Steps</h2>
    <p>To sustain progress, PHIM will focus on institutionalizing internal structures for regular evidence synthesis, scaling EIPM training to district-level officers, and creating ongoing platforms for researcher-policymaker engagement.</p>
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# PHIM Strengthens Capacity in Evidence-Informed Policy-Making to Bridge Research-Policy Gap

![EIPM Training Workshop Participants](https://phim.health.gov.mw/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/policy-making-meeting3.jpg)

**Mponela, Malawi** — To ensure that public health research directly translates into high-impact health policies and programs, the Research Division of the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) conducted a four-day training workshop on **Evidence-Informed Policy Making (EIPM)** from **2 to 5 March 2026** at Linde Hotel in Mponela.

Supported by the **Malawi Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Project (MHEPRR)**, the training targeted 30 researchers and program implementers from PHIM, equipping them with practical tools to synthesize, critically appraise, and package scientific findings into policy briefs, infographics, and factsheets.

### Addressing the Research-Policy Gap
A persistent challenge in public health is the delay between research generation and its translation into actionable policy. Through this workshop, facilitated by WHO, CREAMS, KUHeS, and PHIM, participants utilized EVIPNet frameworks to master:
* **Evidence Synthesis:** Filtering and appraising research quality and local relevance.
* **Stakeholder Mapping:** Identifying policy windows and mapping decision-maker influence.
* **Knowledge Products:** Drafting policy briefs, infographics, and analytical factsheets.
* **Policy Pitches:** Simulated advocacy presentations to decision-maker panels.

![Interactive EIPM Facilitation](https://phim.health.gov.mw/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/policy-making-meeting1.jpg)
*Figure 1: Facilitators leading evidence synthesis and policy translation modules.*

![PHIM Group Work on Policy Briefs](https://phim.health.gov.mw/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/policy-making-meeting2.jpg)
*Figure 2: PHIM researchers and program implementers collaborating on knowledge translation products.*

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