Lilongwe: On 21 July 2016 the Ministry of Health in collaboration with USAID Malawi, the World Health Organization and partners launched the national Health Communication Strategy and the Malaria Communication Strategy at the Sunbird Hotel in Lilongwe. At the colorful occasion the Guest of Honour was the Minister of Health, Dr Peter Kumpalume, MP. Among the distinguished guests were the WHO Representative, Dr Eugene Appiah Nyarko, the Chief of Health Services, Dr Charles Mwansambo and the Director for Health at USAID Mr Peter Halpert.

Speaking to the audience at the ceremony the Honorable Minister said that the main purpose of the National Communication Strategy was to facilitate coordination and harmonization of the health promotion and communication strategies implemented by the health sector and its partners in the country. “The ultimate aim of the strategy is not to reduce mortality and morbidity rates but also to build a nation of individuals with knowledge, skills and motivation to make healthy choices” Dr Kumpalume said.

The Minister went on to state that the major health problems in Malawi are HIV and AIDS, Malaria, Pneumonia, TB, general diahorrea and cholera. Non Communicable diseases which are a result of unhealthy life styles such as harmful alcohol consumption, unhealthy foods, physical inactivity and smoking are also increasing. “There is strong evidence that health promotion approaches can address these problems” he said.

In his brief speech the Director of Health for USAID Mr Peter Halpert informed the audience that the two communication strategies that were launched were a product of consultation and collaboration between the Ministry of Health and its partners. “The two strategies have also been informed by research to identify gaps and challenges as well as best practices in Malawi and the region,” Mr Halpert said. 

The background to the National Health Communication strategy is that several health communication strategies exist in the country  for HIV and AIDS, Nutrition, malaria and water and sanitation among other but they are not harmonized and do not have standardized strategies and messages. This scenario resulted into poor coordination and duplication of efforts.

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For more information, please contact:

Hudson Wenji Kubwalo, Health Promotion Officer, Email: kubwaloh [at] who.int , Tel: 0888878011