On 22 March 2023, Malawi Liverpool Wellcome (MLW) Programme’s Virology research group-oriented Community Engagement and Involvement (CEI) group members for the Global Health Research Group on Gastrointestinal Infections (GHRG-GI) study met to discuss their roles in research.

The introductory meeting, which took place at Grace Bandawe Conference Centre in Blantyre, drew together nine community representatives from Bangwe township. GHRG-GI’s Work Package lead for Community Engagement and Involvement (CEI) Dr. Deborah Nyirenda stressed the importance of meaningful participation of community members in research design and implementation to ensure that research is relevant and beneficial to community needs.

During the orientation meeting, CEI members were informed about GHRG-GI study objectives, research procedures, ethics, and their roles in research. One of the CEI members, Austin Kunsida, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) representative, said the meeting was insightful and will help them to effectively discharge their duties. He said that the orientation meeting will enable CEI members to provide constructive input in the implementation of the study.

“This meeting was an eye opener to us on our roles and how we can balance our duties as CEI members and other routine social roles in our communities.  I appeal to my fellow CEI members to take our roles seriously, through our contributions we will enable ethical and excellent research that will benefit Malawi,” said Kunsida.

The CEI members also elected leaders, drafted plans of activities, and finalised terms of reference for their work. GHRG-GI will be implemented for a period of 3 years in three countries namely Malawi, Ethiopia, and Kenya.

GHRG-GI study is funded by National Institute for Health Care Research and aims to apply world-leading, multidisciplinary gastrointestinal infection and vaccine research to build capacity and improve health outcomes from childhood diarrhea in Eastern and Southern Africa.