Public Health Institute of Malawi

Category: Latest News and Events

  • Africa CDC – Pathogen Genomics Initiative Technical Support Visit for the CholGEN Project at Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) on 8 – 9 August 2024.

    Africa CDC – Pathogen Genomics Initiative Technical Support Visit for the CholGEN Project at Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) on 8 – 9 August 2024.

    The Africa Centre of Disease and Control (Africa CDC) Pathogen Genomics Initiative ( PGI) is implementing the Cholera Genomics (CholGEN) project. CholGen project is a single consortium with a steering committee composed of John Hopkins University (JHU), Africa CDC, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).

     

    This collaboration between JHU and the Africa CDC aims to leverage existing laboratories and epidemiologists in seven African countries (Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Cameroon, Malawi, Zambia and Uganda) to utilize Cholera genomic data for public health
    decision-making and improve the understanding of the molecular epidemiology of cholera in
    Africa.

    CholGen project mainly has three objectives; to understand the molecular epidemiology of
    cholera in Malawi to inform decision-making, determine key drivers of cholera and other
    waterborne diseases transmission in Malawi and strengthen cross-border cholera surveillance
    including data sharing.

    NPHL, Lilongwe-Malawi – August 8 and 9th, 2024 – The Africa CDC and the Africa Public Health Foundation conducted a technical support visit to PHIM to identify the progress made and challenges
    faced by the CholGEN project.

    The team meet the Director and two Deputy Directors of PHIM responsible for
    Laboratory and Research. The Deputy Director, on his remarks, appreciated the support Africa
    CDC is rendering to Malawi in terms of trainings, equipment and supplies through the
    CholGen project. He promised that NPHRL will ensure that genomics in Malawi is growing
    to the requirement of giving answers needed to the health problems. He lamented “the lack of
    space for a genomics laboratory as the major problem affecting the growth of genomics”, he emphasized that “It is his dream to see PHIM have a state-of-the-art genomics laboratory that meets international standards and, can accommodate high throughput equipment.”

    Dr. Mirriam Nyenje: in blue, – perhaps appreciating genomics lab apparatus.

    Dr. Mirriam Nyenje the head of the National Genomics Sequencing Laboratory (NGSRL) in
    Malawi also added to the lamentation for the need for space that resulted in other machines
    allocated to other departments outside the NGSRL. She further thanked the Africa CDC for
    the support and gave a promise that she would work hard to see the NGSRL become a centre
    of excellence despite the lack of space. She cited Tuberculosis genomics as a low-hanging fruit to be the centre of excellence then Malaria and other pathogens.

    Mr. Francis Chikuse, leader of the delegation added that the PGI is also looking into Malaria genomics though it is not easy and cheap, but it is very good for surveillance. He pointed to
    talking with PHIM to discuss the possibility of having genomics for Malaria which is crucial
    for the African region.

    He said “The spectrum of human pathogens and the infectious diseases they cause is continuously
    changing through evolution, selection and changes in the way human populations interact
    with their environment and each other, therefore there is a need to understand molecular
    epidemiology surveillance of cholera strains circulating in the country. These will include
    sequencing of vibrio strains to study the virulence genes, the factors that support its survival
    in the environment in hot spots and phylogenetic inferences.”

    Cholera and other diseases know no borders as such pathogens can be transmitted across
    geographical borders through movements of humans, animals and goods during an outbreak. Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Tanzania have some level of cross-border agreements.
    This project aims to operationalize/ strengthen these agreements.

    There is a need to strengthen border surveillance systems with its neighbours and develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on data and sample sharing. There is also a need to build the capacity of Port of Entry staff on specialized training on surveillance of public health pathogens
    knowledge sharing and regional coordination.

  • Research Department Implements Supervision Checklist For Health Facility Research Coordination Committees Countrywide

    Research Department Implements Supervision Checklist For Health Facility Research Coordination Committees Countrywide

    Nsanje, Malawi – August 6, 2024 –

    The Research Division of the Public Health Institute of Malawi is in the process of assessing the capacity of its Health Facility Research Coordinating Committees country wide. The team above visited Nsanje District Hospital to appreciate the efforts the committee is making and the challenges they are encountering. This initiative involves the implementation of a comprehensive supervision checklist designed to standardize and streamline the oversight processes of these committees.

    Dr. Chitsa Banda, Deputy Director for Research Department – PHIM led the supervision checklist exercise. She said “We are confident that this tool will not only improve the quality of oversight but also enhance the overall impact of health research in districts in Malawi”.

    The supervision checklist is a tool developed to ensure that health facility research coordination committees adhere to best practices and maintain high standards in their operations. It covers various aspects of committee functions, including meeting procedures, documentation, compliance with ethical standards, and the implementation of research protocols.

    By providing a clear framework for supervision, the checklist aims to: enhance compliance, improve documentation, strengthen coordination, and boost efficiency during operations to reduce delays and improve the overall efficiency of research oversight.

    The Research Department remains committed to supporting health facility research coordination committees and to fostering a culture of excellence in health research across the country. This initiative underscores the department’s dedication to advancing health research and ultimately improving health outcomes for the people of Malawi.

  • PHIM – Empowers  Human and Animal Health Workers In Salima Through IDSR & EBS Training

    PHIM – Empowers  Human and Animal Health Workers In Salima Through IDSR & EBS Training

    Human and animal health workers from the districts of Dowa, Dedza and Lilongwe districts recently completed a comprehensive training program on Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), including Event-based surveillance (EBS) in Salima district.

    The training, organized by the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) with funding from Global Fund, aimed to enhance the capacity of IDSR focal persons and others related frontline professionals from both human and animal health sectors (one health) in early detection and response to priority diseases and public health events in the country.

    The course covered essential topics in relation to the core functions of IDSR and EBS, namely: Detection and recording of priority diseases, conditions or events; Reporting of priority diseases, conditions and events; Analysing and interpretation of data; Investigation and confirmation of suspected outbreaks and other public health events; Prepare and respond to outbreaks and other public health events; Risk Communication; Monitor, supervise, evaluate and provide feedback to improve surveillance and response; and Tailoring IDSR to emergency or fragile health system contexts. Topics under EBS included introduction to EBS and its importance, health facility and community EBS, EBS data entry, and EBS data visualisation, among others.

    Participants explored the web based application of the One Health Surveillance Platform (OHSP) within the context of IDSR and EBS, and explored parallels with HMIS modules. This holistic approach emphasizes collaboration among human health, animal health, and environment sectors to prevent and control diseases. The training emphasized effective risk communication strategies before, during, and after disease outbreaks. Health workers learned how to engage with communities, dispel misinformation, and promote preventive measures.

    For instance, Noel Khunga, one of the training facilitators and focal person for EBS, ensured that participants understood their roles in Community-Based Surveillance (CBS), emphasizing early detection, reporting, and response. Participants learned how to engage community leaders, traditional healers, and local volunteers to strengthen surveillance efforts. They also explored effective ways to utilize surveillance data.

    The training highlighted the critical role of community involvement in disease surveillance. “By analyzing trends and patterns, human and animal health workers can identify outbreaks early and implement timely interventions.”

    **Far Left in Blue: Mr. Austin Zgambo, National IDSR Manager.

    Mr. Austin Zgambo, National IDSR Manager, expressed optimism about the training’s impact. In his welcoming remarks during one of the training sessions, he said “As we embark on this journey, let’s acknowledge the critical role each of you plays in strengthening our health systems. Your dedication to learning and applying these guidelines will enhance our collective ability to detect, report, and respond to public health events promptly and effectively. Together, we will build a resilient surveillance system that safeguards the health of our communities, ensuring a coordinated response to diseases and conditions of priority. Let’s commit to this mission with the knowledge that our efforts today will shape the well-being of our society for years to come.”