Pauline

In a concerted effort to address the challenges hindering safe motherhood, researcher Louise Afran, representing the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme and supported by the Chan Zuckerberg Foundation, has  contributed clinical consumables to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH). Afran emphasised the urgent necessity for this donation, stating, “The shortage of resources is severely impacting clinical operations in the Chatinkha Ward at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.” Afran elaborated on the collaborative synergy between the paediatric and obstetric departments, stating, “We collaborate closely with the paediatric and obstetric department to conduct innovative health research aimed at benefiting children.” The Trained Immunity in BCG-vaccinated African Infants (TIA) study which Afran leads identified a significant need for equipment and supplies in the Chatinkha wards and promptly extended assistance. The donation, valued at approximately 2 million Malawi Kwacha, encompassed vital items including BP cuffs, child-friendly thermometers (both digital and infrared), pulse oximeters, baby scales, otoscopes, laryngoscopes, syringes, ceramic wall heaters, and BMI calculators. Afran emphasised the expected positive impact of the donated items on enhancing safe motherhood practices, stating, “We anticipate that these donated items will facilitate comprehensive screening and assessment of mothers and babies before and after delivery.” Expressing gratitude, Afran extended heartfelt thanks to the leadership of QECH, specifically acknowledging Dr. George Chagaluka, Dr. Kondwani Kawaza, Dr. Luis Gadama, and all nursing staff, for their unwavering support in conducting clinical research within their respective departments. She underscored the pivotal role of clinical support, affirming, “Myself, Dr. David Lissauer, and the entire TIA team deeply value and recognise the importance of clinical support. We are committed to nurturing positive relationships and fostering future collaborations.”

The February and March 2023 Tropical Cyclone Freddy left an intimate trail of disaster for many people in the Southern and Central parts of Malawi including 1434 deaths, destruction of infrastructure, and people’s sources of income, and cumulative damage cost of $655 million. An element that was overlooked due to the magnitude and overwhelming destruction was health care facilities which faced equal if not more damage than anyone can fathom. One of the worst-hit health facilities was Mfera Health Centre in Chikwawa district; the rains caused an electrical fault that burnt down the facility and made it inoperable.     Thanks to a £250,000 Wellcome Trust grant to the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme in support of its activities to address the challenges caused by Tropical Cyclone Freddy within the southern region of Malawi, part of the infrastructure at Mfera Health Centre was rebuilt and is currently in operation from the first phase of assessments and building. The MLW assessments team was recently on the ground to conduct a second assessment of rebuilding several health facilities in Mangochi, Chikwawa, and Zomba.     Field Sites Manager Chimwemwe Theu highlighted that MLW plans to help rebuild several facilities and increase resilience in case of future similar impacts because the current state of the health facilities is unsafe and likely to yield further disaster if another natural disaster were to occur.    “Most of the facilities are not in a good state. This makes them vulnerable to similar disasters in the future. If we rebuild and renovate the health infrastructure, we lessen the risk of disaster to people’s lives and strengthen health infrastructure which is necessary for people’s wellbeing,” said Theu.    Another infrastructure assessment conducted at Nchalo Health Centre showed the unsafety of the pharmacy, washroom facilities, and maternity section. The foul odour that welcomed the assessment team at the facility was proof of decay which needs to be addressed for the health seekers’ safety.     The clinician in charge of the facility Olipa Alufasi explained that all healthcare workers wear masks when delivering their work because of the rancidity within the facility. She shared that the placenta pit and incinerator were no longer in use and in need of rebuilding.   Cracked walls, rotting doors, falling ceilings, and sunken toilets bore proof of the bitter fruits that Tropical Cyclone Freddy had left behind on health infrastructure.     “Most health centres within the southern region need to be rebuilt because just like Nchalo Health Centre, they are not in good shape. The rains almost rendered Nchalo Health Centre inoperable but we still manage to treat people here. As a health centre with a catchment area of nearly 150,000 people, it is important that we have strong infrastructure that can stand the test of time. If our facilities are rebuilt, it will be a good working environment for us as health workers but also a safe environment for our patients and their guardians,” said Alufasi.     The MLW assessment team visited Zomba district on 10 October 2023, Chikwawa district on 11 October, and Mangochi district on 12 October 2023. The second phase of assessments and rebuilding under the Wellcome Trust grant follows the first phase which was done in Chiradzulu, Zomba, Blantyre, and Chikwawa districts. 

Press Release 27 April 2023 The Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme in collaboration with the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), Vocal (Manchester National Health Service (NHS) Trust), and University College London (UCL) Department of Infection & Immunity have announced the launch of the ‘One for All, All for One!’ comic book which creatively engages the public with messages on immunisation through visual storytelling to address poor access to correct information, disinformation, especially via social media, and general mistrust. The launch of this comic book is expected to complement government efforts in its vaccination campaigns, especially for diseases like COVID-19, cholera, and other routine vaccinations for malaria, hepatitis B, polio, pneumonia, and others. The official launch of the comics will be graced by high-profile guests including members of parliament, traditional leaders, religious leaders, and members of the Blantyre District Health Management Team at Lirangwe CDSS Ground in Blantyre on 29 April 2023. The launch will feature a netball and football match, traditional dances, drama performances, and administration of covid and cholera vaccines by Blantyre DHO teams. Senior Health Promotion Officer for the Blantyre District Health Officer Chrissy Banda said she is very proud to be part of this ground-breaking project. “The vaccine engagement resources developed by MLW will significantly promote dialogue and improve uptake of different vaccines currently being offered in Blantyre,” she said. The One for All, All for One! comic book is a unique international ‘graphic medicine’ project, which engages audiences in Malawi, South Africa, the United Kingdom (African diaspora), and beyond around the subject of immunisation, community protection with vaccines, misinformation, and research involvement. Comic books contain simple language and are currently available in English, Chichewa, Yao, and Tumbuka and will be shared in different locations such as communities, clinics, and schools across Malawi. Digital copies are also available to download. For inquiries and more information contact: Rodrick Sambakunsi, One for All, All for One Coordinator, +265993383773 or email: rsambakunsi@mlw.mw.

Professor Henry Mwandumba has been appointed as THE Director of the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme (MLW). MLW is a longstanding partnership between The Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHES), the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), and the University of Liverpool (UoL). The partnership is funded by the Wellcome Trust. Director of LSTM Professor David Lalloo, said: “I am delighted to announce that, following an international search and rigorous appointment process, Henry Mwandumba has been offered the post of Director of MLW. Henry has been acting as Interim Director since August 2022. I’m sure you will all join me in wishing Henry every success in the post.” Born in Malawi, Henry is delighted to become the first Malawian Director of MLW and explains why his appointment is an important step forward: “I am delighted and honoured to lead this great organisation as its Director. My appointment is an important milestone in MLW’s history and is testament to the Programme’s exceptional success in developing and nurturing transformative global scientific leaders. With the support of the MLW community, partners and stakeholders, I am confident that we will take MLW to the next chapter of sustainable growth and success.” In 2022, Professor Mwandumba was awarded the Weber-Parkes Prize, from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), during the Harveian Oration Lecture, at RCP in London. He received the prestigious award for his ground-breaking work in unlocking causes, patterns of transmission, and effective treatments, in the area of tuberculosis. The award is traditionally given to somebody who can demonstrate excellent work in the field of tuberculosis, in the UK or abroad. Professor Mwandumba began his career by studying medicine at the University of Zimbabwe School of Medicine and specialised in general (Internal) medicine and infectious diseases in Liverpool. His research focuses on understanding the immunopathogenesis of HIV- associated illnesses to improve patient outcomes. His research has three major themes: HIV, tuberculosis, and vascular diseases. Professor Mwandumba also leads up the Mucosal and Vascular Immunology Group at MLW, is a Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and Kamuzu University of Health Sciences in Malawi, and Honorary Consultant Physician at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool. He is the Immediate Past President of the Federation of African Immunological Societies (FAIS) and Immediate Past Treasurer of the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Physicians (ECSACOP). His research is supported by funding from Wellcome, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Medical Research Council (MRC), UK and the German Research Foundation (DFG). He was Cornell University’s Distinguished African Scholar in 2015, was awarded the MRC/DfID African Research Leader Award in 2017, the Royal Society Africa Prize in 2019 and the Weber-Parkes Prize in 2022. Professor Mwandumba’s appointment as the Director of the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme is effective immediately.