Public health Institute of Malawi

NPHEOC TRAINING 2025.

Sunbird Capital, Lilongwe, Malawi – March 18th, 2025.
by
Moses Nyambalo Phiri in collaboration with Ella Chamanga, Francis Chimphanje and Settie Kanyanda.

The Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) with funding from the World Bank is currently conducting a critical Public Health Emergency Operation Centre (PHEOC) training for national-level staff and subject matter experts. Technical support has been provided by WHO, and the US-CDC Malawi Country Office. The PHEOC serves as the central hub for cordinating preparedness, prevention, detection, response, and mitigation efforts for public health emergencies at all levels. This intensive training program, held from March 18th to 24th, 2025, aims to significantly enhance Malawi’s preparedness and response capabilities to public health emergencies.

The training was officially opened by Mr. Jospeh Bitilinyu Bango, Deputy Director for PHIM responsible for the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) on behalf of Dr. Mathew Kagoli, the Director. In his speech, he emphasized the crucial role this training exercise will render. He said “The knowledge and skills acquired during this training will be instrumental in equipping our district-level teams (DPHEOCs) in the coming weeks,” by highlighting the cascade effect of this national-level effort.

This PHEOC training builds upon the foundation laid by the inaugural session held about two years ago by WHO and Africa CDC experts. The on coming follow up District PHEOC (DPHEOC) trainings shall ensure a comprehensive and robust emergency response network across the country.

Recognizing the pivotal role of a well-coordinated multi-agency approach in mitigating public health threats, PHIM has organized this training to equip officers from the National PHEOC – including the ICT, Surveillance, EPR, Crossreference, IHR, and the Public Health Research Division and National Public Health Labolatory officers.

In attendance also are experts from various response stakeholders including Central Veterinary Lab, Ministry of Water and Sanitation, Case Management, Operations Supplies and Logistics, Public Health Division, DODMA, EPI, Health Promotions Division, and the International partners WHO, and the US-CDC Malawi Country Office.

Session in Progress ~ Group Discussions.

This training has enhanced understanding of the operational procedures within the National PHEOC, strengthening inter-agency coordination during emergency responses and it has improved the application of expert knowledge across key response pillars.