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Tag: E&Surveillance

  • FETP – Call for Applications.

    Call for Applications: Intermediate FETP – PHIM
    CLOSED
    Public Health Institute of Malawi Logo

    Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM)

    Ministry of Health

    Call for Applications

    Intermediate Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) – Cohort 4

    1. Background & Program Goal

    The Ministry of Health (MoH) through the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM), with funding from the World Bank and in collaboration with the US CDC and I-TECH, invites applications for the fourth cohort of the Intermediate Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP).

    This 9-month in-service course targets public health workers at national and sub-national levels to enhance their capacity in:

    • Public health surveillance data analysis and system evaluations.
    • Outbreak investigation and response (descriptive and analytical epidemiology).
    • Use of statistical software like R for epidemiologists.
    • Public health operational research design and dissemination.
    The program aims to strengthen the country’s epidemiologic capacity and accelerate progress towards the Global Health Security Agenda target of one trained field epidemiologist per 200,000 population.

    2. Eligibility Requirements

    The training is open to current technical staff employed within the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Department of Animal Health & Livestock Development (DAHLD) in the Ministry of Agriculture, or the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change.

    Specific Applicant Requirements:

    • Role: Officers responsible for compilation/analysis of surveillance data, outbreak investigation, operational research, and public health communication at district, regional, or national level.
    • Education: Undergraduate degree or higher in Health Sciences, Animal Health, Environmental Science OR Diploma and Frontline FETP Certificate from a recognized institution.
    • IT Skills: Basic computer knowledge and skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point).
    • Equipment: Access to a laptop throughout the 9-month training period.
    • Vision: Demonstrate a clear vision on how the knowledge gained will improve public health surveillance systems, outbreak response, and data quality.
    • Commitment: An interest in becoming a mentor for subsequent FETP Intermediate cohorts.

    3. Course Summary & Structure

    This is a 9-month competence-based in-service training. Trainees spend 25% (8 weeks) in face-to-face workshops and 75% (25 weeks) in the field at their work stations, applying skills to real public health challenges.

    Core Competencies Gained:

    • Public health/Disease surveillance
    • Outbreak investigation and response
    • Design and conduct of epidemiological studies
    • Data management, analysis, and interpretation for decision making
    • Public health communication

    Training Timeline Overview (9 Months)

    Workshop 1

    Weeks 1-2 & Weeks 3-8 (On-the-job)

    Surveillance systems, Data analysis, Outbreak investigation, Epi Info Part 7

    Workshop 2

    Weeks 9-10 & Weeks 11-16 (On-the-job)

    Project Presentation, Observational studies, Study Protocol, Sampling & sample size

    Workshop 3

    Week 17 & Weeks 18-24 (On-the-job)

    Public health communication, Technical report writing

    Workshop 4

    Week 25 & Weeks 26-31 (On-the-job)

    Analyze Group Project Data, Report Development, Oral Presentation skills

    Workshop 5

    Weeks 32-33

    Finalize Report, Oral Presentation, Closing Ceremony

    Start Date: The first workshop (Module 1) is scheduled for Monday, 17th November, 2025.

    4. Application Procedure & Deadline

    1. Application Closed: The application period for Cohort 4 has now closed as of October 16, 2025.
    Download Form (Application Closed) NOTE: The application deadline was Thursday, 16th October, 2025.

    2. Required Documents: All applications must include:

    • A thoroughly filled Application Form (endorsed by your supervisor).
    • Copies of Certificates of relevant professional training (Diploma or Degree).
    • A Motivational Letter explaining how the knowledge and skills gained from the course will help in improving public health surveillance systems, outbreak detection and response, and day-to-day work responsibilities.

    3. Submission: Completed applications should be submitted via email to both addresses below:

    Final Application Deadline

    Thursday, 16th October, 2025

    Close of Business (COB)

    5. Further Information

    For further inquiries, please contact:

    Dr. Amir Juya

    FETP Intermediate Resident Advisor

    Email: ajuya@itech-malawi.org

    Phone: 0985 591 951

    Grace Funsani

    Head of Capacity Building and POE

    Email: grace.funsani@health.gov.mw

    Phone: 0999 950 398

  • Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) bulletin for Epidemiological Week 37 (September 8-14, 2025).

    Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) bulletin for Epidemiological Week 37 (September 8-14, 2025).

    Malawi Mpox Outbreak Update

    Malawi’s Latest Health Bulletin Confirms 14 New Mpox Cases

    Weekly IDSR Report Highlights Ongoing Public Health Surveillance

    Published by the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) on September 19, 2025.

    A new report from the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) provides a detailed look into the country’s public health landscape, with a significant focus on the ongoing Mpox outbreak. The latest Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) bulletin for Epidemiological Week 37 (September 8-14, 2025) confirms an additional 14 new Mpox cases, bringing the cumulative total to 110.

    Public Health Events in Epi-week 37

    Pictorial graph of notifiable diseases/conditions alerts in Malawi during Epi-week 37

    Notifiable diseases/conditions alerts reported in Epi-week 37 in Malawi (Data accessed on 17 September 2025)

    Outbreak at a Glance

    According to the report, the outbreak continues to be actively monitored, with key metrics updated for the latest week. As of September 14, 2025, the breakdown of cases is as follows:

    • Total Confirmed Cases: 110 laboratory-confirmed cases in Malawi, plus 2 cross-border cases.
    • New Cases: 13 new cases were recorded during Epidemiological Week 37.
    • Patient Status: 84 individuals have been discharged, 23 are currently in isolation, and 2 are lost to follow-up.
    • Deaths: One death has been confirmed since the start of the outbreak, with no new deaths reported in Week 37.
    • Contact Tracing: A total of 1,167 contacts have been identified and are being monitored.

    Affected Districts and Demographics

    The age range of confirmed cases spans from 2 to 75 years. The outbreak has now been reported in 12 districts across the country, highlighting its widespread nature. The districts include Lilongwe, Mangochi, Ntcheu, Salima, Likoma, Nkhatabay, Blantyre, Mzimba South, Ntchisi, Karonga, Zomba, and Chitipa.

    Public Health Surveillance and Response

    The Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) is mandated to protect public health through robust surveillance, early warning, and outbreak containment. The IDSR system’s overall reporting stood at an impressive 90.7% for completeness and 83.3% for timeliness on the One Health Surveillance Platform (OHSP) during this reporting period.

    In response to the Mpox outbreak and other public health events, a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach has been implemented. Key measures include:

    • Incident Management System (IMS): The IMS has been activated to coordinate all response efforts.
    • Rapid Response Teams: Functional Rapid Response Teams (DRRTs) have been deployed at both national and district levels. These teams are actively engaged in collecting blister swab samples, conducting contact tracing, and following up on cases.
    • Multi-sectoral Collaboration: A “One Health” approach is being utilized, involving the collaboration of both human and animal health workers at national and district levels to enhance disease surveillance.
    • Training and Capacity Building: PHIM has been training the National Emergency Medical Team, surge teams, and frontline health workers to ensure a skilled and ready response force.
    • Risk Communication: The Ministry of Health is actively engaged in risk communication and community engagement activities to educate the public on disease prevention and containment.

    In addition to Mpox, the surveillance system also detected other public health events in Epidemiological Week 37:

    • Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI): 42 cases, 3 deaths
    • Diarrhoea with blood: 718 cases
    • Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI): 83 cases
    • Typhoid fever: 23 cases
    • Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP): 6 cases
    • Maternal Deaths: 5 deaths
    • Meningococcal meningitis: 4 cases, 1 death

    Looking Forward

    The report concludes with specific recommendations for improving the public health response. These include enhancing reporting timeliness and signal detection, conducting prompt risk assessments for all verified events, and strengthening routine immunization programs.

    Read the Official Bulletin →
  • Malawi Hosts National Bridging Workshop to Strengthen One Health Approach

    Malawi Hosts National Bridging Workshop to Strengthen One Health Approach

    National Bridging Workshop

    Lilongwe ,Malawi – August 13, 2025..
    by
    Moses Nyambalo Phiri in collaboration with Mark Mwalabu, and Settie Kanyanda.

    The Government of Malawi, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the UN Environment Programme, hosted its FIRST-EVER National Bridging Workshop (NBW). This workshop aimed to enhance the country’s “One Health” multisectoral approach by improving collaboration among human, animal, and environmental health sectors to prevent and respond to public health threats.

    Dr. Martias Joshua, Chief of Services-Reforms – MoH.

    Dr. Joshua highlighted Malawi’s commitment to One Health, noting that the country has already initiated a One Health Policy and prioritized zoonotic diseases for urgent multisectoral action.

    Dr. Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo, WHO Malawi Country Representative.

    “Emphasized that a majority of emerging and re-emerging human diseases originate from the complex interplay between animals, humans, and the environment,” hence Bridging is the solution, Dr. Neema, WHO.

    Stated that the “workshop helps connect the JEE and PVS tools to develop a joint national roadmap.”, George Mvula.

    George Mvula, FAO Representative

    Pointed out that the “NBW identifies practical opportunities for joint initiatives to build a resilient health system.”, Dr. Moetapele Letshwenyo.

    Dr. Moetapele Letshwenyo, WOAH Representative for Southern Africa.

    This workshop is a crucial stride toward building a unified, resilient health system in Malawi. By strengthening cross-sectoral cooperation, the nation is proactively preparing to tackle present and future public health challenges effectively.