Nthanda Times

Blessings Tambala

  • Undule urges Malawi Govt to decriminalize drug use: “Treat to reduce harm instead of punishing”

    Drug Policy and Harm Reduction Platform (DPHRP Malawi Chapter) has reiterated calls for the Government of Malawi to decriminalize drug use in an effort to reduce harm among users.

    Chairperson of the DPHRP Malawi Chapter, Undule Mwakasungula, was reacting to revelations by the 2024 Global State of Harm Reduction Report that stigmatisation and criminalisation of people who use drugs as some of the major barriers towards mainstreaming and utilization of harm reduction services in most countries.

    The report observes that 108 countries include harm reduction in national policies. However, criminalisation and punitive responses to drugs remain dominant in most places.

    “These approaches undermine harm reduction efforts and continue to fuel stigma and discrimination and deter people who use drugs from seeking vital, life-saving services. This key contradiction must be addressed for meaningful progress to be made,” reads the report in part.

    Malawi is one of the countries that still maintain punitive drug policies that criminalize drug use and, according to Mwakasungula, maintaining these punitive drug policies exacerbates stigma, discourages access to harm reduction services, and undermines public health efforts.

    “To solve this, Malawi should focus on treating drug use as a health issue, not a crime,” he said.

    On insufficient funding, Mwakasungula observed that just like other countries, Malawi does not have enough money to support harm reduction programs despite the programs being affordable and saving lives.

    He said Malawi needs to push for more funding from both local sources and international donors.

    Commenting on revelations that prisoners abuse drugs and are at greater risk of harm, Mwakasungula emphasized the need to enhance provision of harm reduction services, such as drug treatment programs, which could help reduce these dangers inprisons.

    Mwakasungula: This program is of national rather than political importance
    Mwakasungula: Govt must decriminalize drug use

    “Much as Malawi faces challenges with drug use, such as criminalization, stigma, lack of funding, and health risks in prisons. However, the government is making efforts to improve. Reviewing drug laws, working with partners to provide health services, and addressing issues in prisons through HIV prevention and other programs.  But more work, funding, and focus on treating drug use as a health issue are needed to make progress. Further Malawi must prioritize harm reduction to improve public health and protect vulnerable populations,” he said.

    Another harm reduction activist, Chimwemwe Ngoma, disclosed that safer nicotine products (SNP) have a positive impact on reducing smoking-related mortality across the globe.

    Ngoma was speaking in Nairobi, Kenya, where dozens of harm reduction experts, activists and journalists have converged for this year’s Harm Reduction Exchange – an annual conference where delegates and participants discuss ways of reducing negative consequences of drug use.

    Ngoma asked governments to seriously consider making greater investment in harm reduction interventions.

    “Evidence suggests that SNP have a positive impact on reducing smoking-related mortality. A good example is Sweden where the rate of lung cancer cases amongst Swedish men in 2022 was less than half the European average,” he said.

    But journalists attending the conference lamented the unavailability of concrete data on drug use in most African countries, saying this limits their reporting on harm reduction matters.

    This year’s conference is being held under the theme: “Enabling innovation in harm reduction through science-led regulation and policy-making”.

  • Empowered workforce, community structures for increased immunization coverage

    Statistics at Chilomoni Health Centre in Blantyre indicate that the facility has registered a 97 percent immunization coverage, barely three percent shy of the finish line.

    But Yvonne Mchemo – a health surveillance assistant (HSAs) assigned to vaccinate infants and expectant women from Mlunguzi Hema area in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kuntaja – confesses that the road to this success was not smooth.

    “We’re working in a society highly rooted in myths, misconceptions and traditional and religious beliefs surrounding vaccines. And it was not easy to convince both caregivers and caretakers to accept and utilize the vaccines,” she said.

    Mchemo is one of the healthcare workers who recently attended a capacity building training the Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) conducted for healthcare officers, mother care groups (MCGs), local grassroots structures and traditional and faith leaders.

    The training for healthcare workers, which was financed by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), was aimed at equipping immunization officers with skills that would help them achieve equitable immunization coverage in facilities under the Blantyre District Health Office (DHO).

    Recently, PATH, a key partner to the Ministry of Health and Expanded Programme on immunization, organized a media tour to enable journalists appreciate how Blantyre, Dowa and Ntchisi DHOs are faring in their efforts to increase acceptance and improve utilization of the vaccines in the three districts.

    Blantyre District Environmental Health Officer (DEHO), Innocent Mvula, disclosed that despite immunization being a key component of primary healthcare and an indisputable human right, uneven immunization coverage and limited capacity in the health workforce remained a big challenge.

    Mvula said the capacity building training for immunization officers was, therefore, a timely intervention because it empowered healthcare workers to gain skills and attitudes needed to deliver vaccines effectively.

    “The capacity building training on immunization programme has been one of the most essential instruments needed to improve the performance of immunization programs. It has helped a lot in building core competencies, including professional attitudes, required vaccine administration skills, and documentation skills,” he said.

    Chisi talking to journalists at Chilomoni Health Centre in Blantyre

    Senior HSA for Chilomoni Health Centre, Thandiwe Chisi, said the capacity building training helped healthcare workers to acquire knowledge in data collection and keeping, planning campaigns, vaccine storage, and providing appropriate advice to beneficiaries.

    Chisi added that the immunization officers also learned how to report regularly on the progress of the exercise.

    “These topics and steps are important to achieve high-quality outcomes as we have done here. We have been able to identify access and utilization barriers, pinpoint priority areas and associated health centers, and form a roadmap to ensure expanded coverage,” she explained.

    Chisi added that their engagement with community structures such as MCGs has also played a crucial key role in the success of the immunization programme.

    She said immunization officers worked closely with MCGs in educating caregivers and caretakers about the need for and benefits of vaccines, as well as their safety. And this helped in dispelling misconceptions, reducing resistance, and improving vaccine coverage.

    Marriam Neymar Sozinyo, who delivered her baby boy at Chilomoni Health Centre on 28 August 2024, attributed to increased acceptance and utilization of immunization services to the coordinated and collaborative efforts between MCGs and healthcare workers in the area.

    Sonyizo (left) getting her baby boy, Shammah, vaccinated at Chilomoni Health Centre

    Sonyizo stated that because of this collaboration, women are encouraged to attend antenatal clinics more than four times and give birth at the health facility.

    “This coordination has brought a lot of benefits to the service users through integration of services such as reproductive health, immunizations, and nutrition education. That’s why we are very eager and willing to go for vaccination at any time,” she said.

  • NICE joins calls for extended voter registration exercise

    The National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Public Trust has joined calls for an extension of voter registration in the first two phases, observing that this will enable all eligible voters to register for the September 2025 General Elections.

    This follows an announcement by the National Registration Bureau (NRB) that it will start national identity registration in all Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) registration centres beginning today, November 27, 2024.

    NICE National Programmes Manager Christopher Naphiyo

    NICE National Programmes Manager Christopher Naphiyo, speaking in an interview with The Nation newspaper, commended NRB for taking the initiative, stressing that the early start will give an opportunity to more Malawians to register for the national ID, leading to their subsequent registration as voters.

    Naphiyo shared concerns of various Malawians that NRB did not give adequate time for registration in the first two phases.

    The National Coordinator for the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), Lewis Msiyadungu, also commended the NRB for the steps it is taking to ensure that all eligible voters are given the opportunity to register.

  • N’zatonse Project registers decline in school dropouts, early marriages in Ntchisi

    Authorities in Ntchisi are reporting that there has been a significant decline in cases of school dropouts, early marriages and pregnancies, thanks to the N’zatonse Project.

    The Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) is implementing the project with financial support from the Government of Germany through the German Development Bank (KfW), amounting to $2,859,037.

    MAM Ntchisi Project Coordinator, Francis Nyasulu, told journalists on a tour last week that the district has registered significant improvements in access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services for adolescent girls and young women following the introduction of the project.

    Nyasulu said the project’s primary goal is to ensure that youth, aged 10 to 24, have access to SRHR services. But the youth have considered pig rearing as an income generating activity to sustain their project activities and income.

    “We’re implementing the project in 12 traditional authorities (TAs) with 45 youth clubs, enhancing SRHR access by engaging religious leaders, government officials, and community stakeholders. The initiative addresses various health-related issues, including governance, service delivery, accountability, and social behavior change,” he said.

    MAM Ntchisi Project Coordinator, Francis Nyasulu

    Nyasulu stated that the project’s focus on genuine youth participation and leadership, empowering young people to understand and advocate for their SRHR needs, as well as fostering community mobilization.

    “We have seen the Zafika Youth Club successfully rearing pigs, which serves as a sustainable intervention for replicating SRHR messages within their clubs. This approach helps mobilize youth to ensure they receive essential information about social behavior change and communication interventions,” he said.

    He added that the project aims to unravel religious, social, and cultural barriers that hinder youth access to SRHR services.

    Halison Phiri, Treasurer of Zafika Youth Clubs from Chipokosa Village, expressed gratitude for the N’zatonse project, stating that the youth are now benefiting from pig rearing, which has allowed them to explore various business ventures.

    “Before the project, I had no vision, but now, after joining the Zafika Youth Clubs, we can share profits from our pig businesses. I am now an agent here in Chipokosa Village,” said Phiri.

    Omega Kachingwe, a mentor at the Chitete Youth Club Netball Clinic, praised the project for reducing early marriages, pregnancies among young women, and premature deaths in the district.

    Kachingwe noted that the Netball Clinic mobilizes youth clubs from different villages to disseminate accurate information about SRHR services and family planning methods, resulting in lower school dropout rates and sexually transmitted diseases among youth.

    The project is also being implemented in collaboration with other organizations, including Population Services International, NCA-DCA Malawi Joint Country Programme, and the Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM)

  • Collabo yields immunization dividends in Chiute Village of Mchinji

    Combined efforts to get every child and mother vaccinated against diseases are paying dividends in the area of Village Head (VH) Chiute of Traditional Authority Mlonyeni in Mchinji district.

    By November 23, 2024, a total of 532 babies and 32 expectant women had been vaccinated against various diseases such as malaria and measles in his area.

    VH Chiute, who is also a patron for Tadala – Tsamphale Mother Care Group (MCG), attributed the success to a vibrant working relationship between healthcare workers and community leaders.

    “The duty of the healthcare workers is to ensure that vaccines are available at all times while we, the community leaders, mobilize caregivers and expectant women to receive the doses,” he said.

    Chiute: We are working with healthcare workers. Photo by Watipaso Mzungu

    VH Chiute expressed the sentiments when journalists from various media institutions visited the area courtesy of PATH, which organized the tour in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

    PATH, as part of the Typhoid Vaccine Acceleration Consortium, is a key partner to the Ministry of Health and Expanded Programme on immunization to support these critical activities.

    Experts have touted immunization as one of the most cost-effective preventive healthcare interventions, stressing that it is a driving force in reducing child mortality, especially by controlling vaccine preventable diseases. It is reported that globally, immunization prevents 3.5 million to five million death every year from diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza and measles.

    Members of Tadala – Tsamphale MCG singing and dancing after their routine meeting

    However, long-held traditional and religious beliefs have made it challenging for healthcare workers to increase the uptake and utilization of vaccines.

    Among others, lack of time, poor awareness, fear of adverse event, loss of daily income, and migrant population have been cited as some of the major reasons why caregivers and vaccine takers would not want to get immunized.

    Lack of good behavior of healthcare workers is another crucial factor perceived by caregivers and takers as barrier in the immunization campaign.

    Scholastica Banda is the chairperson for Tadala – Tsamphale MCG, which works with a local health facility to improve acceptance and uptake of the vaccines by communities.

    Trained by the Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) in October 2019, the group goes door to door to check on pregnant women and those who have under-five children to encourage them to go for under-five clinics so that their children can get different types of vaccinations.

    But Banda lamented that high illiteracy levels, poverty, gender, living conditions, lack of awareness continue to hinder progress in the utilization of the vaccines even in the presence of no cost immunization programme and other healthcare services.

    Banda: Our work has helped in demystifying myths surrounding vaccines–Photo by Watipaso Mzungu

    She therefore emphasized the need for collaboration and coordination in ensuring high immunization coverage and its acceptance among the beneficiaries.

    “Some fail to access because they are very hard to reach while others shun away from to access health facilities because their children were not born at a health facility. So it is our duty to liaise with healthcare workers to incorporate them,” she narrated.

    Deputy Director responsible for Health Promotion Services in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Kondwani Mamba, concurred with Chiute and Banda, saying it is for this reason that the ministry is working with stakeholders to achieve the goal.

    Mamba stated that immunization is a multi-sectoral activity, and a substantial variability in coverage is influenced by varying demographic, socioeconomic and political structures.

    “That’s why despite the high coverage that we have achieved in other areas such as Mchinji, we still have a significant proportion of our children or clients that are supposed to receive vaccinations, but are not accessing vaccines. We still have cases of zero dose, meaning that that particular individual, that particular child, has not received any type of a vaccine, which is a very big threat to the health of the population and the individuals concerned,” he explained.

  • Royal Norwegian Embassy powers ECD education in Mchinji, Rumphi districts

    Parents, guardians and authorities in Mchinji and Rumphi have expressed gratitude to the Royal Norwegian Embassy for the financial support it is providing towards improving Early Childhood Development (ECD) services in the two districts.

    Through the Norwegian Church Aid and Dan ChurchAid (NCA – DCA) Malawi Joint Country Programme, the Royal Norwegian Embassy is financing the construction of ECD centres in its efforts to enhance education and create a better environment for children.

    The project has also enabled implementing partners to train 82 caregivers, provide clean and safe drinking water to the beneficiary communities spread in 42 locations 10 centers in Rumphi and 32 centers in Mchinji.

    Nutrition specialist for the NCA-DCA Malawi Joint Country Programme, Tiyezge Kalima, disclosed that the project also aims to construct Community Development Centers (CDC).

    Kalima added that by training 82 caregivers from both districts, the project wants to address challenges related to the physical, emotional, and nutritional development of children in these centers.

    “The project ends next year, however we are collaborating closely with our government counterparts to ensure the sustainability of our interventions. We are very satisfied with the progress made in the 42 centers and hope that these caregivers will perform their duties effectively to support children’s growth across six developmental categories,” said Kalima.

    Kalima: Through the project, we will also construct Community Development Centers

    Martin Pindankono, the Director of Economic Planning and Development for Mchinji, commended NCA-DCA Malawi Joint Country Programme and the Royal Norwegian Embassy for undertaking the initiatives, which he said will play a critical role in promoting mental, physical, emotional, and nutritional development, leading to better performance in primary and secondary schools.

    Pindankono noted that child development is foundational to national development, stating the need to prioritize early childhood development in Malawi.

    This, he asked caregivers to work diligently to ensure a strong foundation for children.

    “We thank our development partners for equipping caregivers with the knowledge and skills necessary to build a better foundation for children in our Early Childhood Development Centers. We encourage caregivers to work hard so that our children acquire the skills and knowledge needed for proper development,” said Pindankono.

    One caregiver, Rahabe Kennedy, from Chiphesi Village in Traditional Authority Dambe in Mchinji, thanked NCA-DCA Malawi Joint Country Programme for organizing a two-week training workshop.

    Kennedy said the training helped her to acquire new skills and knowledge in supporting children across the six developmental categories.

  • Outreach Scout Foundation trains community leaders in palliative care

    Outreach Scout Foundation (OSF) – a local non-governmental organization in Malawi – has challenged healthcare workers and community leaders to collaborate in championing palliative care as one way of reducing hospitalizations for patients and cutting costs on healthcare services.

    OSF Executive Director Amon Lukhele made the remarks on Saturday during an orientation for palliative care volunteers from Kadzanja Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Chimutu in Lilongwe.

    Lukhele also emphasized the need for increased investment in palliative care systems, stressing that this is critical in mitigating pain on patients and families while, at the same time, protecting them from suffering financial hardship due to prolonged illness.

    “Palliative care is a crucial discipline that alleviates suffering and enhances the quality of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families. However, there is gap globally between the need for and availability of these services,” he said.

    Lukhele (in cap) and palliative care workers pose for a photo after the orientation workshop at Chiponde Health Centre

    He challenged the government and its stakeholders to ensure collaborative and innovative approaches to enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of palliative care in Malawi, especially in underserved rural communities. 

    Lukhele disclosed that with financial support from The True Colours Trust, his organization is implementing a project aimed at finding ways of improving and enhancing palliative care systems at the community level.

    The pilot project is being implemented in Lilongwe.

    “We are looking at how to reach out to the patients who are suffering from life-threatening illnesses. These are the people who are very vulnerable. So we are equipping community structures like the village development committees, community health workers and the mother care groups and other cadres that are working with communities with skills on how they can provide the best palliative care services to the sick,” he explained.

    Environmental Health Officer at Blessings Hospital at Lumbadzi, Chifundo Kalindawalo, described the intervention as timely, saying it will help them in providing the patients with holistic care.

    A healthcare worker at Blessings Hospital explaining how palliative care works

    Kalindawalo added that palliative care will help patients manage their physical symptoms and emotional stressors.

    “So if we’re looking at human health, we have to go with the holistic approach, where we have to look to take a patient as a whole. So looking at all dimensions of life, how you transition from this life to the point of death, you have to get prepared, and you have to be in a state of acceptance,” he said.

    “So it is very important, in the sense that the community will get to accept when things have reached to the point where somebody has reached the end of his or her life,” he added.

    A representative of the volunteers, Enifer Mcnoil, highlighted mobility challenges as one of the hindrances to their work.

    Mcnoil asked OSF to consider assisting them with bicycles to address this problem.

    Lukhele assured the volunteers that the organization will look into their request.

  • WOCACA calls for greater investment in cervical cancer elimination programmes

    Women’s Coalition Against Cancer (WOCACA) has called for greater and enhanced collaboration and resource mobilization in the fight against cervical cancer in Malawi.

    WOCACA Executive Director Maud Mwakasungula has also emphasized the need for Malawi to support and recognize the critical contributions of frontline health workers in advancing the fight against cervical cancer.

    Mwakasungula made the remarks on Sunday when Malawi joined the global community in commemorating Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action 2024. The activities to commemorate the day took place in Chikwawa.

    WOCACA in collaboration with The Tikondane Women Support Group joined the global movement in commemorating the day at Kantefa Village in Group Village Head Kabudula in the area of Traditional Authority Katunga in Chikwawa on Sunday.

    The event, which was held under the theme: “Elevating Frontline Health Workers: Transforming Global Commitments into Life-Saving Action,” brought together women, cervical cancer survivors, healthcare providers, community and religious leaders, media representatives, and local residents to collectively champion efforts against cervical cancer.

    Women and survivors shared their personal stories, indicating the importance of early detection, routine screenings, and HPV vaccination.

    Additionally, frontline health workers were celebrated for their resilience, innovation, and impact despite working under challenging circumstances.

    Mwakasungula said this year’s theme recognizes the critical contributions of frontline health workers in advancing the fight against cervical cancer, stressing that their tireless dedication is key in providing prevention, screening, and treatment services that save countless lives, especially in rural and underserved communities like Kantefa Village in GVH Kabubula in Chikwawa.

    WOCACA Executive Director Maud Mwakasungula

    “While this event highlighted progress, it also served as a call to action for stakeholders at all levels to strengthen the fight against cervical cancer. Collaboration is paramount in ensuring no woman is left behind. Together, we can achieve the global commitment to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by increasing investments in enhanced screening, vaccination, and treatment services must reach all women, especially those in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited,” she said.

    She also emphasized the need to provide adequate training, resources, and incentives will empower frontline health workers to deliver quality services.

    “The nation and its stakeholders should further provide community education on cervical cancer prevention, the benefits of HPV vaccination, and the importance of early detection is crucial in dispelling myths and encouraging action. In addition, government and development partners must increase funding for cervical cancer programs and prioritize policy frameworks that ensure equitable healthcare delivery,” appealed Mwakasungula.

  • NAP proposes dialogue between government and opposition to address electoral-related grievances

    The National Advocacy Platform (NAP) – a network of civil society organizations dedicated to governance in Malawi – has appealed to governing and opposition politicians to engage in meaningful dialogue in an effort to address underlying grievances that fueled protests in Lilongwe on Wednesday.

    In a statement issued on Thursday, NAP Board Chairperson Benedicto Kondowe and his National Coordinator, Baxton Nkhoma, have also condemned acts of violence reported during the demonstrations, including roadblocks allegedly set up by the “Azitho Group” to prevent protesters from assembling, along with reported attacks by individuals.

    The attackers are believed to be from the Msundwe community.

    Kondowe and Nkhoma say such aggression infringes on the rights of all citizens involved and creates a hostile environment where voices are stifled by fear.

    Opposition party members addressing media

    “NAP is deeply alarmed by the blatant disregard for citizens’ fundamental right to freely and safely express their views. The violent scenes witnessed on 13th November 2024, resulting from inadequate preventive measures and unchecked interference, not only jeopardize public order but also establish a disturbing precedent for civic engagement in Malawi.

    “For a democracy to thrive, all duty bearers must commit to facilitating peaceful protest while actively preventing violence. Failure to uphold these principles risks eroding democratic norms, undermining trust in state institutions, and destabilizing the very foundation of our society,” reads the statement in part.

    “Both protesters and counter-protesters must exercise mutual respect, and we call upon all parties to refrain from any actions that could escalate tensions further. The passivity of law enforcement in managing the actions of counter protesters contributed to the escalation, underscoring the need for a proactive and fair police response,” it adds.

    The platform has further condemned a decision by the disgruntled opposition leaders to go ahead with their planned demonstration amid a postponement directive from the Lilongwe District Commissioner.

    Meanwhile, NAP has reaffirmed its commitment to platforms such as the National Elections Consultative Forum (NECOF), which offers valuable spaces for peaceful and productive discussions, adding that resolving conflicts through dialogue and mutual understanding will uphold democratic principles and also promote an environment of inclusivity and reduce public dissent, ultimately strengthening Malawi’s political landscape.

  • NCD Alliance Malawi calls for greater efforts increase diabetes awareness

    The Non Communicable Diseases Alliance Malawi (NCDAMW) has stressed the need to increase public understanding and awareness about diabetes for the country to tame the disease.

    NCDAMW national chairperson Maud Mwakasungula made the remarks in a statement issued as part of the commemoration of this year’s World Diabetes Day.

    The day is being commemorated under the theme: “Diabetes and Well-being”. Thus, NCDAMW joined organizations and advocates worldwide to raise awareness about diabetes . 

    This year’s theme, ‘Diabetes and Well-being,’ emphasizes that managing diabetes is not just about health, but also crucial for a fulfilling life. Diabetes affects millions of people around the world, causing challenges for families and communities. 

    Mwakasungula said the alliance believes that public education campaigns empowers individuals with the knowledge needed to protect themselves from diabetes. 

    Mwakasungula: Diabetes awareness is vital

    “Currently, most people do not know enough about diabetes, its risks, or how to prevent it,” she said.

    Mwakasungula stated that people living with diabetes require support in various areas, including guidance on nutrition, regular exercise, and mental well-being. 

    She said this why NCDAMW advocates for the expansion of diabetes support programs across communities, offering counselling, advice on healthy eating, and physical activity options.

    She said such programs are essential in helping individuals manage their condition and lead healthier lives, ensuring that support is accessible to all those in need.

    “Finding better treatments and, ultimately, a cure for diabetes relies on ongoing research. We encourage governments and key stakeholders to increase their investment in diabetes research. With more funding, scientists have the potential to discover innovative treatments and improve existing ones. Supporting research today will lead to better outcomes and healthier lives for people living with diabetes.

    “To make more meaningful progress, we need to strengthen policies that support diabetes prevention and control. We urge policymakers to reinforce existing laws and implement enhanced measures that promote healthier lifestyles, encourage nutritious choices, and regulate food and beverage industries that negatively impact public health. These policy decisions could play a big role in reducing the prevalence of diabetes in our communities.These policy decisions could have a major impact on reducing diabetes in our communities,” she narrated.

    “The Alliance believes that collaboration and partnerships are key in fighting diabetes. We are therefore strengthening our collaboration with the government, healthcare providers, people living with diabetes, other organizations and advocates. This collaboration is key in enhancing a stronger network of support for healthy lifestyle and better diabetes services. World Diabetes Day,2024 , we NCD Alliance make our voices louder, let us unite and create lasting changes in the fight against diabetes,” concluded the statement.

    NCDAMW is a national civil society network with a common goal to reduce the burden of preventable morbidity and disability as well as avoidable deaths due to non-communicable diseases and injuries, including the broad scope of many non- communicable disease impacting the health of Malawians.