The Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Alliance Malawi has described the endorsement of the Global Charter on NCDs as a game changer, saying it will transform approaches to advocacy and implementation in the fight against non-communicable diseases.
Speaking in Lilongwe on Thursday during an engagement meeting with various stakeholders, the Alliance emphasized the need to raise awareness about the charter and identify opportunities for effective implementation.
One of the Alliance members, Dingani Mithi, said adopting the charter is significant as it outlines critical priorities in advancing the agenda of people living with NCDs, who have long been left behind in policy and decision making processes.
“The charter is centered on people’s needs, promoting equity and fairness in how people access health services as NCDs have been neglected for too long,” said Mithi.
Mithi further highlighted several gaps that need to be addressed, including inadequate funding for NCD programs, the need to strengthen research, and the importance of enhancing collaboration with the private sector.
In his remarks, Hastings Chiumya, Acting Deputy Director for NCDs and Mental Health in the Ministry of Health, disclosed government’s commitment to supporting efforts to combat NCDs and to implementing the newly adopted charter effectively.
He called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders and communities to advocate for the fight against NCDs, saying efforts are underway to integrate NCD interventions to improve efficiency and resource utilization.
“As government, we have a blueprint, known as 'the Health Sector Strategic Plan (2023–2030)' which aligns closely with the charter, particularly in the involvement of key stakeholders,” said Chiumya.
On her part, Dr. Winnie Chilemba, who is Senior Lecturer at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), underscored the role of academia in NCD advocacy, hence the need to include the voices of people living with NCDs when reviewing and formulating programs, and to ensure their involvement in research design and implementation.
Meanwhile, the Alliance revealed that an advocacy strategy plan will serve as a key implementation mechanism for the Global Charter, providing strategic direction for future action and the charter comes as Malawi faces a growing NCD burden, with the diseases accounting for 32 percent of all health conditions in the country.
