Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme
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EIDM Project

Evidence-Informed Decision-Making (EIDM) in Pandemic Response

Past pandemics like COVID-19 and recurrent health emergencies such as cholera and polio in Malawi highlight the need for strong, evidence-driven systems. There is consensus that decisions made during health emergencies must be grounded in reliable and up-to-date evidence to ensure fairness, effectiveness, and sustainability. The collaboration between researchers and policymakers is central to promoting evidence-informed decision-making and improving health outcomes in Malawi. There is also a need for clear mechanisms and institutional frameworks that support the systematic generation, translation, and use of research evidence in policy processes. Establishing such structures would ensure that evidence consistently informs decision-making, particularly in critical areas such as pandemic preparedness and response.  

Objectives 

This project, therefore, seeks to promote the routine, systematic, and contextually relevant use of research evidence in health emergency response. 

  1. To strengthen collaboration between MLW and MoH for Evidence-Informed Pandemic Response. 
  1. To establish a Research-to-Policy Exchange (RPE) Forum 
  1. To build capacity in EIDM and Knowledge Translation 
  1. To document the policy engagement process 
  1. Methodology  

This is a mixed-methods, institutional-strengthening project that will use document reviews, stakeholder consultations, workshops, and structured dialogues between researchers and policymakers.  

Expected Outcomes / Deliverables 

  • A Research-to-Policy Exchange Forum for ongoing evidence sharing. 
  • Strengthened institutional capacity for evidence-informed decision-making. 
  • A documented policy engagement roadmap and repository of lessons learned for replication. 
  • A co-created framework outlining practical mechanisms for systematic evidence generation, translation, and use in policymaking, particularly for pandemic preparedness and response. 

The role of Policy 

  • Direct use by policymakers, technical working groups (TWGs), and programme managers in designing and implementing health emergency responses 

Partners & Stakeholders 

  • Partners: Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) 

Timeline: 6 months – October 2025- March 2026 

Contact Information and Details of Project  

Policy leads: Dr Rhona Mijumbi, Suzgika Lakudzala Munthali (smunthali@mlw.mw), and Talitha Mpando (tmpando@mlw.mw) 

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