Stakeholders at the just ended National Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health meeting which took place in Lilongwe have described the interface as an eye opener and effective pathway in dealing with the diseases.   

According to one of the partners, Partners in Hope (PIH), the first ever two-day gathering was a readily available platform for stakeholders to share experiences and challenges.

In an interview, PIH executive director, Dr Agnes Moses, said there is need to uplift efforts if the country is to prevail in the fight against NCDs and mental health.

Dr Moses said: “As we gather together as partners who focus on NCDs we share experiences on the best ways to tackle the challenges including late diagnosis and reporting to the hospital.

“We need to intensify awareness to the communities so that they are aware of the existence of NCDs and encourage them to come to health facilities.”

On its part, government through the ministry of health said there is need for effective collaboration in order to bring a positive change in the fight against NCDs and mental health.

Dr Jonathan Chawanda, head of Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health said: “It’s a big challenge in Malawi and even across the global, for instance here in Malawi we register three out of the ten people who are attended in our outpatient departments.”

The national meeting for key national players in NCDs was organised by PIH Malawi in collaboration with the Malawi government through ministry of health.

The purpose of the meeting was to appreciate efforts different stakeholders are putting forward in supporting NCD work, identify scientific innovative interventions that can be scaled up nationally, but also discuss on resource mobilisation.