Public Health Institute of Malawi

Author: Phiri Penjani

  • Reference Lab confirms contamination of Area 18 Water

    On 18 June 2017, Malawians woke up to the rude awakening that residents of some parts of Area 18 in Lilongwe, were drinking contaminated water. It is said that an underground supply line burst near a sewer broken system that was emitting sewer water into the supply line.

    For days, it remained unclear to what extent the water was contaminated. As part of its mandate the Nation Microbiology Reference Lab, collected a sample of water from the area and conducted extensive tests. It was discovered that the water had Ecoli and Enterobacter cloacae normally found in sewage and can causes diarrhoea.

    The results were shared with the Ministry of Health and the President’s Special Task Force on Area 18 Contamination to guide them on the possible treatment of the pathogens.

  • Antimicrobial Resistance recognized as a health risk

    Antimicrobial resistance was in February this year recognized as a public health risk that needs to be given priority. This was discussed and agreed upon during a key stakeholders meeting that took place at Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.

    The meeting attracted people from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, non-governmental organization including the World Health Organization (WHO) which is driving the campaign globally, the academia, pharmaceuticals and members of the public.

    One of the key action points was the development of a National AMR Strategy in line with the Global Action Plan that would inform the activities and interventions for AMR.

    The strategy is currently in place waiting on approval from the responsible authorities. As a sign of commitment, Malawi will this year join the world in commemorating Awareness week from 12 to 19 November.

  • Construction of treatment isolation wards resumes

    Construction of Isolation wards was resumed after the project had stalled due to the absence of Environmental and Social Management plans- a requirement by the World Bank. The project was launched as an emergency response to the outbreak of the Ebola Virus that hit West Africa in 2014. Malawi was at the time identified as one of the countries at risk of getting the virus.

    With funding from the World Bank through the National Aids Commission (NAC), the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) embarked on an Ebola Project that is looking into preparedness, response and control of Ebola and other infectious diseases.

    Under this project, PHIM is constructing six isolation shelters in Karonga, Mzuzu, Mchinji, Dedza, Mwanza and Blantyre. A seventh shelter is being constructed at Kamuzu Central Hospital with funds from the Government of Malawi.

    The construction of isolation wards also comes with installation of medical incineratos for hospital waste management.