By Prisca Kasache

Mangochi, May 31, Mana: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Alliance Malawi, a national civil society network, has unveiled a project called, scaling up Implementation Capacity of NCD, aimed at strengthening prevention and management of non-communicable diseases in Mangochi.

The NCD Alliance Malawi presented details of the project to District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting in Mangochi on Friday.

Project Coordinator, Esther Nyirenda said the network will provide a platform to raise awareness about non communicable diseases by working with various stakeholders, including the media, to share information, prevent non communicable diseases and promote healthy wellbeing of those with non-communicable diseases in Mangochi.

Nyirenda said that non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer, kidney and liver failure are public health concern as they are killing many people in the country.   

‘‘Non-communicable diseases are now a public health concern in Malawi, as they account for 32 percent of all deaths. There is need for urgent action for prevention,

“To reduce avoidable deaths due to NCDs, we want to raise awareness about the diseases. Among other issues, we will strengthen advocacy through collaboration, identifying and working with patients, engaging the media by building their capacity, as well as disseminating crucial information about NCDs and their impact to the public’’ added Nyirenda.

She therefore called for government to enforce regulations that should ensure that companies are producing or importing food products that do not cause non communicable diseases.

The NCD Alliance Malawi project which will run until May 2027, has a total budget of K40 Million for Mangochi, with funding from the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) through Partners in Health.

In his remarks, NCD Coordinator for Mangochi District Hospital, George Goshe commended NCD Alliance for the project, expressing hope that it will bridge knowledge gab that exists on non-communicable diseases.

He said non communicable disease situation in Mangochi is currently at an alarming rate, as cases of hypertension, cancer and kidney failure continue to rise.

“We are grateful to NCD Alliance Malawi for involving the media in this project. Their participation will help raise public awareness and promote prevention of these conditions,” said Goshe.

He said many people in Mangochi were not aware of the severity of non-communicable diseases, saying such issues are often sidelined by both the public and the media.