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  • Co-Creation and Leadership Training Workshop.

    Co-Creation and Leadership Training Workshop.

    Co-Creation Workshop

    Lilongwe, Malawi – May 28th, 2025.
    by
    Moses Nyambalo Phiri in collaboration with Andrew Hyeroba and Settie Kanyanda.

    The Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) participated in a three-day leadership and management co-creation workshop, sponsored by the Task Force for Global Health (TFGH) and facilitated by AMP Health who are both partners for PHIM. The workshop ran from 27th to 29th May, 2025, was held at the Eden Estates Hotel in Lilongwe, aimed at charting a path towards actions that will enhance the capacity of PHIM to respond to public health emergencies in a timely manner.

    The leadership and management co-creation workshop was rooted in the premise that effective disease surveillance and response to health emergencies is one of the national public health bedrocks that enables the rapid detection and containment of outbreaks. This was in recognition of the fact that PHIM, in its strategic plan, identified the need to address systemic challenges experienced in coordinating disease surveillance and public health emergencies.

    The TFGH, PHIM and AMP Officers during the workshop.

    Acho Alphonse (Regional Advisor, SONAR Initiative) – Opening Remarks.

    Rhys Johnstone (Director, Learning) – Introduction for the workshop.

    The workshop, convening members of different departments of PHIM, sought to establish shared goals and priorities for the months of June – December 2025, that would enable PHIM fast-track the implementation of programs whose partnership financing was coming to a close by end 2025.

    Surveillance and Lab Participants during the Session
    Surveillance and Lab Participants during the Session
    Engaged group discussions.

    In particular, the Global Fund’s support to PHIM. It also sought to clarify the focus of support required from SONAR and AMP Health in facilitating the achievement of the agreed shared goals and priorities. The workshop included foundational training in leadership, management, governance, and coordination. It also highlighted SONAR’s insights on the progress towards the achievement of PHIM’s goals especially those funded by the Global Fund.

    The workshop was facilitated by a team of experts from AMP Health, including Klara Michal (Senior Learning Expert), Rhys Johnstone (Director, Learning), and Andrew Hyeroba (AMP Health Management Partner for Malawi). They were joined by Task Force for Global Health staff, including Acho Alphonse (Regional Advisor, SONAR Initiative) and Mtisunge Yelewa (Country Lead, SONAR Initiative from PHIM), and Dorice Chimbeleko (Deputy National Lead, SONAR Initiative – Malawi) who provided insights and support in clarifying the status of PHIM in its implementation of Global Fund’s financing for PHIM.

    Mr. Chaponda Limbikani displaying some of the fruits of the session.

    This co-creation workshop identified key actions to fast-track, focusing on training, support supervision and data management. To increase momentum towards achievement of the agreed key actions, it was resolved that the participants would conduct follow-up meetings for progress tracking, as well as seek support from each other, the SONAR team, and the embedded Management Partner for Malawi. Commitment was made by the SONAR team and AMP Health to doing their best in ensuring that the PHIM teams developed the necessary leadership and management skills, tools, and techniques to effectively deliver their programs.

  • 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

  • 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