On 2nd April 2025, the Field Sites Management Department successfully hosted a one-day Primary Health Centres (PHC) In-Charge Partnership Workshop. The event brought together leadership representatives from all Blantyre PHCs and the Blantyre District Health Office (DHO) to explore strategies for strengthening collaboration. The workshop marked an important step toward building sustainable partnerships and enhancing strategic engagement across the health and research sectors.

With strong attendance and active participation, the workshop provided a well-curated space for open dialogue, promoting collaboration through mutual understanding. Blantyre DHO representative Dr. Zaziwe Gundah and MLW’s Director, Professor Jenelisa Musaya, opened the event with presentations highlighting the importance of fostering meaningful, long-term partnerships between MLW and PHCs through the DHO. Dr. Gundah noted that, while the DHO receives annual research funding allocations, much of it has historically gone unused—highlighting a missed opportunity to deepen research collaboration and build capacity at the PHC level.

Representatives from various MLW departments gave informative presentations outlining their roles in supporting research implementation. Topics covered included research ethics and regulatory processes, data collection and security, policy impact, community engagement, and a tour of MLW’s laboratory and sample archiving facilities. Chimwemwe Mateula Theu, Manager of the Field Sites Management Department, emphasized the vital role of local partnerships, positioning PHCs as key strategic allies in advancing MLW’s research mission.

One of the key outcomes of the workshop was the collection of ideas from participants to inform the development of a Partnership Management Framework. These inputs will be reviewed and refined to establish a structured guide for future collaboration.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Gundah expressed appreciation for the initiative, stating: “We’re deeply grateful for this opportunity to come together. This platform marks a long-awaited milestone, and we are committed to continued, proactive engagement and collaboration, building on the success of this workshop.”