CHAM Launches $80,000 Project to Combat Non-Communicable Diseases in Malawi
Dumisani Nkhoma, CHAM's Health Services Manager, presented a system strengthening project to Nkhata-Bay District Council, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention.
NKHATABAY, Malawi — The Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM) has initiated a vital project aimed at bolstering healthcare facilities to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the districts of Nkhata-Bay and Mzimba North and South, writes Francisco Mwanza.
Presenting the comprehensive system strengthening project to the Nkhata-Bay District Council, Dumisani Nkhoma, CHAM's Health Services Manager, highlighted the urgent need for intervention.
Nkhoma stated, "We have observed significant gaps in the delivery of services for non-communicable diseases in hospitals, with many people underestimating the dangers posed by conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Our project will, among other things, raise community awareness about NCDs and establish the necessary programmatic structures aligned with Ministry of Health guidelines. Some of the challenges we've identified include low public awareness, capacity gaps among service providers, and insufficient funding for these critical services, which prompted our intervention."
The Nkhata-Bay District Council's Director of Planning and Development, Edgar Chihana, expressed enthusiasm for the project's potential to alleviate some of the healthcare challenges faced by local hospitals.
Chihana said, "Given our budgetary constraints, and limited funding, it has been challenging to manage all planned activities. CHAM's involvement is highly commendable, especially considering the underestimation of the NCDs' impact, despite claiming numerous lives in the country. I am hopeful that this project will provide much-needed assistance and align with the pillars of Malawi's 2063 Agenda implementation plans."
This ambitious two-year project is being generously funded by Sanofi, a global pharmaceutical company.
In Nkhata-Bay District, it will benefit four hospitals: the Nkhata-Bay District Hospital, Chintheche Rural Hospital, Chilambwe, and Mzenga Health Centres.
The project aims to combat NCDs by raising awareness, enhancing healthcare infrastructure, and bridging the funding gap, all with a budget of $80,000.