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Author: Moses Nyambalo Phiri

  • CALL FOR APPLICATION: LEAD CONSULTANT: EVALUATION OF MALAWI FRONTLINE FIELD EPIDEMIOLOGY TRAINING PROGRAM (FETP)  

    CALL FOR APPLICATION: LEAD CONSULTANT: EVALUATION OF MALAWI FRONTLINE FIELD EPIDEMIOLOGY TRAINING PROGRAM (FETP)  

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    LEAD CONSULTANT: EVALUATION OF MALAWI FRONTLINE FIELD EPIDEMIOLOGY TRAINING PROGRAM (FETP)  

    The Malawi Government through the Ministry of Health established Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) in 2013, as a Centre of Excellence in Public Health.  Its primary role is to provide leadership in disease surveillance, research, prevention, and control through generating evidence that informs policy and advances practices in public health service delivery. PHIM is dedicated to strengthening the nation’s capacity in order to respond to a broad spectrum of public health challenges. This includes addressing emerging communicable and non-communicable diseases.

    In 2016, PHIM with technical and financial support from the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) established the Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP). The program aims to strengthen the epidemiological capacity of the country’s ministries of health, agriculture, and environment in detecting and responding to diseases with epidemic potential or international significance.  To date, Malawi’s Frontline FETP  has completed 22 cohorts and trained 301 personnel.

    Evaluation Background

    The implementation of Frontline FETP represents a significant investment for Malawi, its implementing partners, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Since its establishment in 2016, no formal evaluation has been conducted for the Malawi Frontline FETP. The Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) and the US CDC have designed a non-experimental mixed-methods evaluation, using document review, structured questionnaires, site visits, and semi-structured interviews. These methods will be used to answer the following objectives:

    1. Describe best practices and challenges related to implementing the first 22 cohorts of Malawi’s Frontline FETP.
    2. Assess the impact of the involvement of Malawi’s Frontline FETP graduates in public health emergency responses and epidemiologic surveillance capacity (since the start of the program).
    3. Evaluate the effectiveness of Malawi’s Frontline FETP in imparting surveillance and response to public health threats skills.

    Scope of Work

    The selected consultant(s) will lead the data collection, analysis, report writing, and the dissemination of findings for the evaluation of the Malawi FETP Frontline program.

    The lead consultant(s) will be responsible for:

    • Managing the human resources for this evaluation, including a team of interviewers and a scheduler.
    • Joining PHIM/CDC evaluation team meetings and providing weekly progress updates to evaluation stakeholders.
    • Conducting a document review of Malawi FETP documents including, but not limited to:
      • Collaborative Technical Assistance Plans (CTAPs),
      • knowledge assessments (pre/post quiz)
      • cohort exit reports
      • completed scorecards/rubrics of graduate field products
      • outbreak reports collected by investigation unit
    • Leading the training of a team of interviewers who will conduct virtual interviews with job supervisors, and outbreak or public health emergency supervisors. The virtual interviews will be conducted  over the phone or online (WhatsApp or Zoom).
    • Leading the training of a team of interviewers who will conduct the in-person interviews and site visits to graduates and work supervisors in Malawi.
    • About 70% of the total interviews will be conducted virtually, while 30% of the interviews will be conducted in-person (face to face).
    • Along with the team of interviewers, assist with conducting and overseeing in-person worksite visits and in-person  interviews with 90 Malawi FETP graduates (30% of the population).
    • Conduct semi-structured interviews with Malawi’s FETP staff (Resident Advisor [former and current], Program Director, Program Coordinator, CDC country Director, administrator (s)).
    • Manage data in relevant data collection software or platform, e.g. ODK or Kobo Tools.
    • Lead the analysis of data collected using relevant qualitative and statistical analysis software.
    • Write the final evaluation report in English
    • Present findings to various stakeholders (PHIM, CDC, Malawi Ministry of Health).

    High-level requirements

    • High level of English language proficiency
    • More than 5 years of experience managing, coordinating, and conducting evaluations, preferably in the global health field, with cross-cultural teams.
    • Previous work experience in Southern Africa, preferably in Malawi.
    • Demonstrated experience using both quantitative and qualitative methods
    • Demonstrated experience using survey platforms (i.e., Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, ODK, etc.), qualitative analysis software (i.e., ATLAS.ti, MaxQDA, NVIVO, etc.), and quantitative analysis software (i.e., R, Stata, etc.).
    • Detail-oriented, strategic, and a positive attitude towards dealing with setbacks and obstacles.
    • Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to interact professionally with culturally diverse individuals.
    • Preferably based in Southern Africa but not required.

    MODE OF APPLICATION

    Please submit a 1-page letter of interest, your CV(s), and a budget proposal (including the number of days necessary to complete the evaluation) to: grace.funsani@health.gov.mw, or ajuya@itech-malawi.org by 11th June 2025. This will be a deliverable-based consultancy.

  • Malawi Association Of Medical Labolatory Scientist 8th Annual General Conference.

    Malawi Association Of Medical Labolatory Scientist 8th Annual General Conference.

    MAMLS ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE.

    Blantyre, Malawi –May 8th , 2025.
    by
    Moses Nyambalo Phiri in collaboration with Happy Abraham Manda, Henry Limula and Settie Kanyanda.

    On May 8, 2025, the Malawi Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (MAMLS) convened its 8th Annual General Conference at the Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre. The central theme of this year’s conference was “Enhancing Access to Diagnostics for All Malawians.“

    Conference Highlights and Key Discussions
    The conference emphasized the critical need for increased innovation and investment in diagnostic services, with a strong focus on expanding access to rural and underserved areas. MAMLS advocated for bringing high quality laboratory services closer to communities to ensure accurate diagnoses and improve healthcare delivery across Malawi. The conference was officially opened by Mr. Joseph Bitilinyu Bangoh, Deputy Director of the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM), responsible for the National Public Health Laboratories (NPHL).

    About MAMLS
    Founded on February 11, 1998, MAMLS is a non-profit association dedicated to promoting and safeguarding the interests of medical laboratory science professionals and patients in Malawi. The organization operates independently, free from political, religious, ethnic, or sub regional influences. MAMLS plays a vital role in promoting cooperation among medical laboratory scientists, standardizing professional practices, and facilitating capacity development, all aimed at improving the quality of medical laboratory services, training, and education in the country.

    MAMLS Technical Team

    PHIM’s Participation and Presentations
    The Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) was a key participant in the conference. Dr. Godfrey Kadewere, former Director of Health Technical Services, and Mr. Joseph Bitilinyu Bangoh of PHIM both delivered speeches encouraging laboratory personnel to collaborate in disease diagnostics and surveillance. Mr. Bangoh specifically urged laboratory professionals to be proactive during disease outbreaks, citing the recent Mpox pandemic in Malawi as an example.

    Mrs. Dorothy Donata Moyo Kalata from the NPHL delivered a presentation detailing PHIM’s development, vision, and mission, as well as the current activities of the NPHL. She highlighted the NPHL’s comprehensive functions, asserting that Malawi will soon no longer need to send samples abroad for testing.

    Mr. J.B. Bango.
    Mrs. Dorothy Donata Moyo Kalata
    Dr. Godfrey Kadewere (centre)

    Remarks from MAMLS Leadership and Other Dignitaries
    Mr. Confidence Banda, President of MAMLS, echoed the sentiments of previous speakers, emphasizing the laboratory’s foundational role in various health pillars and its indispensable contribution to disease surveillance. He also acknowledged the presence of Professor Kondwani Jambo, the keynote speaker, as an inspiring example for the laboratory science community.

    Other notable attendees included Mr. Reuben Mwenda, former Deputy Director of Health Technical Services, and representatives from organizations supporting laboratory services in Malawi, such as the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Malawi University of Maryland School of Medicine – Ciheb, and Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHES).

    Mr Reuben Mwenda and Dr Godfrey Kadewere
    Professor Kondwani Jambo
    MAMLS president, Mr. Confidence Banda.

    Exhibitions and Networking
    The conference provided a dynamic environment for participants to interact and exchange ideas. Companies supplying laboratory products in Malawi also had the opportunity to exhibit their offerings, fostering connections within the industry.

    Special Thanks to:

    Mr. Happy Abraham Manda, Content Creator, NPHL

    Mr. Henry Stanley Limula, Content Reviewer, NPHL

    Mr. Settiel Kanyanda, Content Reviewer, PHIM

    Special recognition is given to the contributors whose efforts brought this content to fruition.
  • WHO Strengthens Malawi’s Disease Surveillance with Key Donation.

    WHO Strengthens Malawi’s Disease Surveillance with Key Donation.

    THE WHO CONTRIBUTES TO NPHL

    NPHL, Lilongwe, Malawi – May 15th, 2025.
    by
    Moses Nyambalo Phiri in collaboration with Happy Abraham Manda, Mr. Henry Limula and Settie Kanyanda.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO), with support from UK Aid (UKAID), has made a significant donation delivery of essential laboratory items to the National Public Health Laboratories (NPHL) to the National Public Health Laboratory, PHIM. This timely contribution will aid Malawi’s capacity to monitor and respond to various public health threats, including the ongoing Mpox outbreak

    The NPHRL plays a pivotal role in Malawi’s health surveillance systems, tracking a range of diseases. Currently, a key focus is the surveillance of Mpox, a viral disease that has affected several African nations, with Malawi reporting six confirmed cases by May 15th, 2025.

    NPHL receiving the donations.

    To ensure the safety of frontline health workers during critical activities such as outbreak investigations, sample collection, and the implementation of control measures, the WHO generously donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs). The consignment included vital items such as gloves, aprons, and gumboots.

    THE WHO and NPHL Team

    Receiving the donations on behalf of the NPHRL, Mr. Joseph Bitilinyu Bangoh expressed his sincere appreciation to the WHO for their prompt response citing the current response activities NPHL – PHIM is undertaking to contain Mpox. He further acknowledged the WHO’s consistent support to PHIM during the Mpox pandemic and in the surveillance of other significant diseases, including conjunctivitis, cholera, and influenza.

    He earnestly appealed to the WHO to maintain their invaluable assistance, even in the face of potential financial constraints affecting international organizations. Dr. Nelly Yatich, representing the WHO during the donation, warmly assured the PHIM staff of the WHO’s unwavering commitment to supporting Malawi, particularly during health crises like the current Mpox outbreaks. She emphasized the WHO’s proactive approach in providing the necessary equipment swiftly to aid in the effective management of Mpox cases.

    Mr. Ishmael Bashir, Second from left.

    During the event, Mr. Bangoh also formally welcomed Mr. Ishmael Bashir, a resident delegated from the (WHO) to work at PHIM, NPHRL. He reiterated his gratitude to the WHO for this additional support, highlighting that Mr. Bashir’s presence will provide valuable insight into Malawi’s needs and facilitate targeted assistance.

    This has indicated the robust collaboration that exists between the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM). Their joint efforts are crucial for enhancing Malawi’s public health systems and protecting its citizens. This partnership is expected to continue with future collaborations.

    Special Thanks to:

    Mr. Happy Abraham Manda, Content Creator, NPHL

    Mr Henry Stanley Limula, Content Reviewer, NPHL

    Mr. Settiel Kanyanda, Content Reviewer, PHIM

    Special recognition is given to the contributors whose efforts brought this content to fruition.