January 31, 2024

The final quarterly meeting of 2023 for the Clinical Research Support Unit (CRSU) marked a notable success, emphasizing efficiency, fostering valuable networking opportunities, and providing enlightening insights for partners with the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme. Held on 15 December 2023, the event saw active participation from staff across Blantyre and Chikwawa, showcasing a collective commitment to the event. Distinguished representatives from both the Blantyre and Chikwawa district health offices added significance to the occasion. Brian Ngwira, the head of the CRSU department, expressed satisfaction with the positive feedback received during panel meetings with the partners. Ngwira stressed the importance of external feedback in improving the works of the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme, viewing it as a critical eye-opener for identifying and addressing potential shortcomings. He enthusiastically stated, “We are thrilled with the success of the meeting. The valuable information gathered from partners and internal staff, in an informal setting, is like a free lunch for us. This successful event aligns with our goals, contributing to continuous improvement in our work.” One of the guests at the event, Aleck Asima, in charge of Ndirande Health Center, highlighted the crucial role of networking in understanding the operations of the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme. He noted the fruitful interactions that provided insights into ongoing studies and fostered improved relationships. Asima remarked, “Bringing together staff and partners has been fruitful in encouraging networking and facilitating informative interaction sessions. This has deepened our understanding of the institution and identified areas for improvement, benefiting our facilities and enhancing our relationships.” The meeting also recognized outstanding clinical nurses for their exemplary work in 2023, honoring some of the winners Beatrice Chinoko, Madalitso Chiutsi, and Nelson Chasweka. Vera, the chair of the clinical unit, urged other clinical nurses to embrace a spirit of hard work, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to success in clinical research. Functioning as the overseeing department for scientific studies conducted by MLW, the CRSU plays a crucial role from the approval stage to the study’s closure. The event concluded with a lively atmosphere, featuring drama that emphasised how researchers get consent from participants when conducting studies and the importance of a good relationship with the community, and dancing competitions, providing a temporary escape from the day-to-day challenges faced by attendees.

Designed to promote the understanding of health science and related topics, the Umoyo N’kukambirana Radio Programme spared the month of January 2024 to discuss Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Malawi. Aligned to cast rays of knowledge on Schistosomiasis, Soil-transmitted helminths, Scabies, leprosy, Animal bites and Taeniasis, the programme has been highly decorated by the audience for tackling less prioritised health concerns. A Ndirande resident, Justin Nyambwali, who keenly follows the Umoyo N’kukambirana radio programme alluded that in general, the programme is the major source of the valid health information required for informed decision-making. “Umoyo N’kukambirana is key to community and national development it helps us to make wise decisions when it comes to our health and wellbeing in by doing that it is fostering national development through helping us to be physically and mentally strong players in the national development,” Nyambwali shared. He emphasised that through the programme serious lessons have been drawn on health costs that result from the Neglected Tropical Diseases, least prioritised in the country and the region at large. Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme (MLW)’s Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Research Group Head Professor Janelisa Musaya said the fight against NTDs requires synchronised efforts among various stakeholders as NTDs rear a huge social-economic burden in the country and global at large. “These diseases are dangerous and are associated with huge financial costs because they take time to manifest their signs in human or animal body are considered deadly. The disease is caused by similar microbes in both animal and human body therefore there is a need for harmonised response and control,” Professor Musaya highlighted. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) NTDs cause over 200 thousand deaths annually and they rob developing countries of billions of United States dollars through direct health costs, loss of productivity, and reduced socioeconomic and educational attainment. direct health costs, loss of productivity, and reduced socioeconomic and educational attainment.

Designed to promote the understanding of health science and related topics, the Umoyo N’kukambirana Radio Programme spared the month of January 2024 to discuss Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Malawi. Aligned to cast rays of knowledge on Schistosomiasis, Soil-transmitted helminths, Scabies, leprosy, Animal bites and Taeniasis, the programme has been highly decorated by the audience for tackling less prioritised health concerns. A Ndirande resident, Justin Nyambwali, who keenly follows the Umoyo N’kukambirana radio programme alluded that in general, the programme is the major source of the valid health information required for informed decision-making. “Umoyo N’kukambirana is key to community and national development it helps us to make wise decisions when it comes to our health and wellbeing in by doing that it is fostering national development through helping us to be physically and mentally strong players in the national development,” Nyambwali shared. He emphasised that through the programme serious lessons have been drawn on health costs that result from the Neglected Tropical Diseases, least prioritised in the country and the region at large. Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme (MLW)’s Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Research Group Head Professor Janelisa Musaya said the fight against NTDs requires synchronised efforts among various stakeholders as NTDs rear a huge social-economic burden in the country and global at large. “These diseases are dangerous and are associated with huge financial costs because they take time to manifest their signs in human or animal body are considered deadly. The disease is caused by similar microbes in both animal and human body therefore there is a need for harmonised response and control,” Professor Musaya highlighted. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) NTDs cause over 200 thousand deaths annually and they rob developing countries of billions of United States dollars through direct health costs, loss of productivity, and reduced socioeconomic and educational attainment. direct health costs, loss of productivity, and reduced socioeconomic and educational attainment.