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Trader News Newsletter Issue no 67: July – Sept 2019

RSC STAFF ATTEND 2019 SOUTHERN AFRICA

RESEARCH & INNOVATION MANAGEMENT

ASSOCIATION (SARIMA) CONFERENCE

―It was a great conference where research and

innovation managers met and learnt a lot

about research management‖ - Dr. Cecilia Mali-

wichi Nyirenda. (Director, Research Support

Centre)

COM LAUNCHES DENTAL SCHOOL

―In the next five years, the country will have its

own locally trained dentists who will help the

country in oral health‖- Dr. Mwapatsa Mipando.

(Principal, College of Medicine)

UNIMA LAUNCHES CENTRE of EXCELLENCE

IN ETHICS AND GOVERNANCE (CEEG)

―Umunthu becomes a moral capital when the

appropriate knowledge and appropriate skills

are complemented by right attitude or moral

character traits of umunthu ‖ Prof. Joseph

Mfutso Bengo. (Director, Centre of Excellence

in Ethics & Governance—CEEG)

Notable Quotes in This Issue

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A Word from the Director…………………………………..……...……………......….….2

RSC staff attends SARIMA Conference…………………………………....………………..4

COM launches Dental School………………………………………………...…...………..5

International Medical Humanities Conference…………………………………......……..6

KUHeS Team-building Retreat………….………………………………...……..………….8

Towards a Coordinated Policy Engangement…..……………………..…………..……...9

Centre of Excellence in Ethics & Governance Launch………………...……………….….12

RSC Activities: Training Courses…………………………………….………...……..….....14

RSC Activities: Research Seminars…………………………….…………..…........………15

Social Innovation for Health Initiative……………………………...……....……....…...18

Dissemination of Research Findings………………………………………..…….……..…20

COMSSA Participates at UMMSA tournament..……………………………...….…..….22

What is COM Research Support Centre?..……………………………………………….24

Upcoming Activities & Funding opportunities ………………………………..….……..25

CONTENTS

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A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR

OUR TEAM

Dr. Cecilia Maliwichi-

Nyirenda

Sam Chikuni

Innocent Fred Maulidi

Sam Chikuni

Yahaya Mmadi

Sam Chikuni

RSC DIRECTOR EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHY DESIGN & LAYOUT

On behalf of the Research Support

Centre staff, I welcome you to this

exciting issue of the Research Sup-

port Centre Newsletter.

In this quarter, Research Support

Centre has been involved in several

activities some of which have been

captured in this issue. There are also

upcoming events like the Research

Dissemination Conference (RDC)

and as mentioned in our previous

issue, calls for abstract submission

were released. I am pleased to in-

form the readers that we have re-

ceived an overwhelming number of

abstracts and these have been re-

viewed. I urge you to look out for

information on the program of events, keynote speakers and guest of honour for this event which will take place

from 7th to 8

th November, 2019 at College of Medicine Mahatma Gandhi campus in Blantyre, Malawi. If you have

not registered for this conference, please register now on https://rdc.medcol.mw/login

Let me also take this opportunity to thank everyone who submitted their abstract towards this year‘s RDC and for

adhering to the new system of online abstract submission. I am grateful to College of Medicine‘s management for

providing strategic guidance. I am also thankful to reviewers for reviewing the abstracts and above all, I thank the

organising committee for its tireless support.

Our dear readers, if you have research related articles that you would like to share through this newsletter, please get

in touch with us and we will gladly give you space. If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit the

following link: http://www.rsc.medcol.mw/newsletter-2/.

Finally, let me remind our readers that COM has a research directory. The directory showcases researchers from Col-

lege of Medicine and its research affiliates namely Blantyre Malaria Project, Malaria Alert Centre, Malawi Liverpool

Welcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Johns Hopkins Project and Malawi Epidemiological and Intervention

Research Unit. If you would like to collaborate with our researchers, please access the directory on http://

researchdirectory.medcol.mw. If you are a researcher from COM or its research affiliates and your name is missing

from the directory, please contact us on rscenquiries@medcol.mw . If your contacts need updating please contact us

on the same email. For updates and more information about our services, please visit Research Support Centre‘s web-

site: www.rsc.medcol.mw

I wish you a happy reading!

Dr. Cecilia Maliwichi-Nyirenda.

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RSC ATTENDS 2019 SARIMA CONFERENCE

The Director for Research Support Centre Dr. Cecilia Maliwichi-Nyirenda and Risk Analyst Sthembiso Msis-

ka attended this year‘s Southern Africa Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) con-

ference which took place from 3rd to 6th September, 2019 at Lord Charles Hotel , Sommerset West, in

Cape Town South Africa. The theme for this year‘s conference was Global Future Local Needs. Before the

conference, there were pre-conference workshops which happened on 2nd-3rd September, 2019.

In her remarks about the conference, Msisha described the conference as an eye opener. She said the con-

ference speakers also touched on a good topic that con-

cerns women.

―There was a thrust in asking what research managers

could do in order to increase research output from wom-

en within universities so that they are ranked as highly as

men. I also learnt that research management is way more

than contracts and grants but also stimulating policies

within the universities that ensure that women have fair

advantages in research.‖ Said Msisha.

Speaking after the conference, Dr. Cecilia Maliwichi-

Nyirenda said it was great that RSC attended the confer-

ence on behalf of the College as there was a lot that she

had learned about research management and other re-

search related activities.

―We have learnt about the role of the research office in

ensuring visibility of the college on the international

stage. Our duty is not just to manage research but to en-

courage research. It is not just about grants but we also

need to have a portfolio that stimulates researchers to do

more research. For instance, University of Stellenbosch

and University of Cape Town have excellence awards

every year for the top researchers and have a system of

ranking researchers. Researchers that are doing research that is impactful to the society and researchers that

have been able to produce a good number of PHDs in a particular academic period are rewarded. In a

nutshell, we have learnt that as College of Medicine there is more that we can do, there is more in the re-

search management function than what we are currently doing and I think as we are going into a new uni-

versity (KUHeS), it will become pivotal for us to do more .‖ Said Maliwichi-Nyirenda.

She went ahead to say it would be ideal for College of Medicine to subscribe and be a member of SARIMA.

―There are a lot of research activities that happen at SARIMA throughout the year, courses, training and

conferences that would help the people that are in research management of the college hence it is ideal

that COM becomes a member‖ Said Maliwichi-Nyirenda.

Next year‘s SARIMA Conference will take place in Gaborone, Botswana from 4-7 August, 2020.

Dr. Cecilia Maliwichi-Nyirenda poses with a fellow

participant at the conference.

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COM launches First Undergraduate

Dental Programme

College of Medicine (CoM), a constituent college of the University of Malawi, launched a five-

year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree programme to train dental surgeons in clinical ser-

vices and oral health needs.

CoM Principal Mwapatsa Mipando intimated that the course is in line with national strategic goals

of increasing access to higher education and boosting the number of health workers in the coun-

try.

―In the next five years, the country will have its own locally trained dentists who will help the

rural population in oral health. Apart from training doctors, the second programme that was sup-

posed to start when the

college was established

in 1991 was dentistry but

we failed to do that,‖ he

said.

Mipando added that the

college is also planning

to build a special struc-

ture for dentists.

Presidential Initiative on

Maternal Health and

Safe Motherhood chief

director Ethel Kapyepye

described the degree

programme as a mile-

stone.

She said: ―We have been sending surgeons outside the country to be trained in dentistry but now

will we be training them on our own. This will have a big impact in our health programme. In the

National Strategic Plan, we identified that there was a big gap in oral health because of lack of

personnel and this programme will boost the numbers nationwide.‖

Kapyepye added that oral health is a critical health issue facing the country.

―This programme will help to stop people from going to traditional healers to seek help when

they have a problem with their teeth where, most of the times, they get the wrong treatment,‖

she said.

On his part, Team Leader and Coordinator of Malawi Dental (MALDENT) Project, Dr. Peter Chimimba

described the background to the long-standing ambition to establish a BDS degree at the College

of Medicine, which stretched back over many years. Dr. Chimimba described the launch of the

programme as having a potential impact on oral health care in Malawi akin to the impact for

mankind of Neil Armstrong landing on the moon.

Jeremy Bagg, head of Dental School at University of Glasgow, said he helped to develop a curricu-

lum for the programme. According to Bagg, the University of Glasgow, with grants from the Scot-

tish Government, will continue to associate with the college and the ministry to help in develop-

ing health policies that will help to prevent dental diseases.

Dr. Mipando and Mrs Kapyepye cut the ribbon to mark the launch of the programme

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2nd

International Medical Humanities Conference

―The Body: In Parts or As Whole‖

The College of Medicine hosted the 2nd Wellcome Trust & University of Edinburgh-funded Inter-

national Medical Humanities Conference from the 31st July - 1st August 2019 under the theme

―The Body: In Parts or

As Whole‖.

One of the organisers

of the conference Dr.

Chisomo Kalinga said

the conference united

participants from crea-

tive, social, research,

clinical and artistic do-

mains to explore the

trans-disciplinary space

between the health sci-

ences, social sciences

and the arts and hu-

manities.

―This conference serves as a starting point to building a medical humanities platform in Malawi

from the ground up. This year‘s theme brought forward conversations about various discourses

and modes of representing the body: in parts or as a whole, as an individual or within community

or as part of the environment. High profile issues such as the sale and trafficking of parts of per-

sons with albinism, genetic testing of intersex athletes, migration of bodies across borders reveal

charged and emotive positions about autonomy, continuity and connectivity across Africa.‖ She

said.

The College of Medicine led the event to support Africa-based initiatives and collaborations to im-

prove the delivery of health services to include indigenous knowledge and perspectives from the

humanities and social sciences. The event engaged local and regional narratives, continental ideas

and practices, and voices from the diaspora.

The final day was reserved for networking, proposal generation and an open space forum to draw

concrete plans for future directions for medical humanities scholarship within the College of Medi-

cine, across Africa and with global partners. Spicing up the conference were arts exhibitions and

music.

Delegates that attended the medical humanities conference

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KUHeS Teambuilding Leadership Retreat

As the College of Medicine (COM ) and Kamuzu College of Nursing (KCN) have been merged to

become Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), management teams from both universities

held a joint leadership retreat at Sunbird Nkopola in Mangochi from the 6th – 10

th August, 2019.

The aim of the retreat was to foster a sense of oneness and build a new united culture among the

leadership of

COM and

KCN.

The retreat

program was

filled with

teambuilding

exercises

aimed at

equipping

heads of de-

partments,

deans, man-

agement of

COM and

KCN with

leadership

skills that

would lead to

the success of the new university.

In his remarks, COM‘s Principal Dr. Mwapatsa Mipando hailed the participants from both colleges

for displaying a sense of togetherness.

―As we are becoming one, we cannot do without team work. KUHeS is one family and we have

to embrace teamwork as a virtue that should be indelible. There are several health Science institu-

tions that are being set up but KUHeS should set standards. Other colleges need to emulate from

us. ―Said Mipando.

The retreat facilitators were Dr. Mary Mkandawire and Ms Maria Mhandire. Among other activi-

ties, the retreat had presentations like ―The 5 Dysfunctions of a team, Building Bridges, The Trust

Equation, just to mention a few. There were also several team building activities which were com-

plemented by presentations by KCN and COM head of departments where they outlined their vi-

sion for the new university.

COM and KCN staff pose for a group photo at the retreat

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Towards a Coordinated Policy Engagement; HEPU

Policy Lab as a Case Study

By Professor Joseph Mfutso-Bengo

There are many research organisations working in Malawi and in other African countries. An uncoordinat-

ed, unharmonised and nonaligned policy engagement could be very costly in terms of time and resources

for policy-makers. Policy-makers need to spend more of their time in policy implementation rather than

meeting, listening and entertaining competing multiple research, organisations and research lobby groups.

The Malawi Ministry of Health and Population‘s Planning and Policy Development Department is mandat-

ed to lead policy management processes across the entire health and population sectors. While policy mak-

ing requires high quality evidence, the policy analysis capacity which is essential for generating evidence and

supporting decision making is limited within

the Ministry.

To address this gap, the Health Economics and

Policy Unit (HEPU) was established at

the College of Medicine of the University of

Malawi with support of the Thanzi la On-

se project in September 2018 as a one stop cen-

tre of policy engagement using the principles of

harmonisation, alignment, mutual accountabil-

ity, independence, and value and evidence-

based policy. HEPU has the primary aim of cre-

ating a space where evidence is demanded or

supplied to support value-evidence-based poli-

cy-making in the Malawian health sector. To

ensure alignment of HEPU‘s research priorities

according to the needs of the health sector, a

Health Economics, Policy and Ethics (HEPE)

Think Tank was setup and met for the first time

on 18th December 2018.

The HEPE Think Tank acts as an advisory com-

mittee to HEPU which will provide on-going

guidance on research direction to HEPU, and

ensure that its health economics and policy

analysis capacity in Malawi is employed to de-

liver high quality research that meets the evi-

dence needs of policy-makers.

Think Tank meetings are organised by HEPU around topical agendas reflecting current policy debates and

issues voiced by the Ministry. Think Tank meetings are held every quarter with invitations to key research-

ers, policy-makers, and donor representatives, reflecting the demands of the agenda. Recent meetings were

attended by Directors and Deputy Directors from the Department of Planning and Policy Development, the

Director of the Health Services Research Department, Director of Quality Management and Digital Health

Directorate, Director of Human Resources Development and Management, and Head of the Public Health

Institute of Malawi.

Experiences from other policy initiatives demonstrated that without an effective delivery mechanism, re-

search priorities and resolutions from the HEPE Think Tank meetings may not effectively translate into prac-

tice. To mitigate this challenge and ensure appropriate follow-up, a Policy Lab was concurrently created

within HEPU with the aim to . . . .NEXT PAGE

About the author: Professor Joseph Mfutso-Bengo is a

professor of Bioethics. Currently, he is the Director for

Health Economics and Policy Unit (HEPU) in the depart-

ment of Health Systems at College of Medicine, Director

of Centre of Excellence in Ethics and Governance (CEEG),

He is also the founder of Centre of Bioethics for Eastern

and Southern Africa (CEBESA) which is a UNESCO desig-

nated Bioethics centre.

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Uncoordinated Policy Engagement is Costly;

Towards a Coordinated Policy Engagement, HEPU Policy Lab as a Case Study

. . .Continued

...translate research priorities into proposals and coordinate project implementation.

The Policy Lab will be staffed by dedicated policy analysts and technical officers from the Ministry

under the guidance of HEPU, two deputy directors from the Department of Planning and Policy

Development, and the Head of the Health Services Research Department. Currently, in addition to

their roles, HEPU staff support the Health Policy Lab until full time staff positions are established.

With this double structure of Think Tank

and Policy Lab, HEPU has established inno-

vative mechanisms that have taken into

account lessons from past experiences to

act as an active link between the Ministry

and the College of Medicine. This mecha-

nism will play an essential role in the de-

velopment and use of high quality and im-

pactful health economics and policy re-

search in Malawi by providing four key

functions:

1.It establishes a platform for policy-makers

and researchers to work and think togeth-

er, thereby eliminating any ambiguity in

interpreting their policy research questions.

2. With HEPU as an independent academic unit leading the development of concept notes, the

Ministry‘s need for evidence can be translated into research projects of the highest academic quali-

ty and integrity, ensuring the highest quality of evidence.

3. By engaging the policy-

makers throughout the re-

search process, it supports

fast and efficient adoption

of research, demonstrating

benefits for policy.

4. The composition of the

Think Thank and Policy Lab

is multi-disciplinary and

adaptive to policy needs,

thus ensuring that this or-

ganisational structure has

the capacity to act as a one

stop centre for policy re-

search for Government and

partners in the future.

One of HEPU‘s Think Tank and Policy Lab meetings at COM Lilongwe

campus.

One of HEPU‘s Think Tank and Policy Lab meetings

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UNIMA launches CEEG The University of Malawi (UNIMA) and its constituent colleges on Monday, September 9,

2019, launched a multi disciplinary Centre of Excellence in Ethics and Governance (CEEG) whose

goal is to institutionalise and mainstream professionalism, moral capital, ethical standards and

mind building at all levels from primary schools up to university education. The launch took

place at Sunbird Capital Hotel in Lilongwe.

The Honourable Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Mr. Bright Msaka, SC and Member

of Parliament for

Machinga

Likwenu, graced

the official inaugu-

ral ceremony.

Speaking during

the ceremony, the

Minister com-

mended the board

of UNIMA, the

founder and Act-

ing Director of

CEEG Professor

Joseph Mfutso -

Bengo for this ini-

tiative which he

said is imperative

since it will help

improve issues to

do with ethics and

governance.

―Ethics and governance are important in every profession which needs to be adhered to avoid

bribery and corruption in the country,‖ he said.

The Minister further encouraged people in all professions to be ethical in their operations in or-

der to contribute to the development of the country.

In his remarks the UNIMA Council chairperson Rev Dr Billy Gama expressed that he was happy

because this initiative originated from UNIMA whose aim, as an academic institution, is to pro-

vide guidance and solutions to the public.

―Moral decay has been a song in so many sectors. You may wish to know that His Excellency the

State President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika emphasizes on honesty, integrity and hard

work.‖ Dr Gama explained.

The Council Chair added that it is the duty of UNIMA to disseminate this message not only as

part of the curriculum but also educating the general public.

Pro Vice Chancellor of UNIMA Professor Al Mtenje, highlighted that it was the paper written by

Professor Joseph Mfutso -Bengo which was persuasive that it influenced the UNIMA to open and

launch the CEEG.

Three keynote speakers namely; the British High Commissioner Holly Tett, the Chinese Ambassa-

dor Liu Hongyang and the Chief Justice Anastazia Msosa, retired, made various speeches in sup-

port of the establishment of the centre.

Delegates that attended the CEEG launch

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Young Researchers Forum

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RESEARCH SUPPORT CENTRE ACTIVITIES:

TRAINING COURSES

RSC strives to build capacity of the administration of research and grants. One of the strategies is

through delivery of various training courses. RSC has administered trainings in Basic Good Clinical

Practices, Concise Good Clinical Practices, Implementation Science, Geographical Information Sys-

tems and Post-Graduate Research Methods.

Recently, RSC in collaboration with ACEPHEM organised the Global Health Leadership and Imple-

mentation Summer School. The intended outcome being that, the learners be able to:

• Analyse the causes of the world’s health prob-

lems and inequities.

• Discuss innovative strategies to improve

healthcare delivery.

• Apply leadership skills to make evidence in-

formed decisions, when faced with health sys-

tem challenges.

The modules covered were:

Global Health Principles and Practices

Introduction to Implementation Science

Health Program Design, Implementation and

Evaluation

Leadership, Ethics and Governance for Global Health Implementation

Introduction to Health Economics

Quality Management for Global Health

Global Health Leadership and Innovation

Participants of the Global Health Leadership and Implementation Summer School

If you have any courses that you would like your

staff to be trained in do not hesitate to contact us.

We have qualified trainers in Monitoring and Evalua-

tion, Data Management, Project Management, Bio-

statistics, Good Clinical Practice, Manuscript Writing

and several other courses. Write us on rsctrainingco-

ordination@medcol.mw. RSC organises tailor-made

courses to meet your requirements. We offer the

courses within Blantyre but also at any venue suitable

for you. We offer certificates upon successful comple-

tion of the course.

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RESEARCH SUPPORT CENTRE ACTIVITIES:

RESEARCH SEMINARS

57th RESEARCH SEMINAR

The 57th Research Seminar took

place on the 26th July, 2019

and was done by Mr. Jerome

Galagade, COM‘s Monitoring

and Evaluation Manager. The

topic was An Evaluation of the

effectiveness, facilitators and

barriers of HIV teen clubs in

achieving successful transition

from teen to adult care in Blan-

tyre using the RE-AIM frame-

work. Mr. Galagade observed

that transitioning Adolescents

Living with HIV (ALHIV) from

pediatric to adult care should

be considered a serious chal-

lenge facing Malawi health sys-

tem. The existence of many ALHIV in HIV teen clubs who are refusing/failing to transition to adult

care should be seen as a problem needing serious attention.

58th RESEARCH SEMINAR

Prof. Hans-Peter Kohler

The 58th Research Seminar took place on the 15th of August and was done by Prof Hans-Peter

Kohler from the University of Pennsylvania. The presentation was on Malawi Longitudinal Survey

of Families and Health (MLSFH) project. The presentation gave an opportunity to learn about the

MLSFH database and the opportunities available for data analyses, data sharing and collaboration

with researchers using data keys to be provided by Prof. Kohler.

Prof. Kohler attends to questions after his presentation Prof. Kohler makes a point during his presentation

Mr. Galagade stressing a point during the 57th research seminar

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Call For Applications-Malawi Exchange

Fellowship Scheme

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UPCOMING EVENTS: 2019 INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF MEDICAL

STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (IFMSA) REGIONAL MEETING

15th—21st DECEMBER, 2019.

The Medical Students Association-Malawi in association with College of Medicine of

the University of Malawi are pleased to invite you to the 2019 IFMSA African Re-

gional Meeting which Medical Students Association-Malawi (MSA-Mw), will host

from the 15th to 21st of December 2019 at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe. MSA (Mw)

is a duly registered national association of students studying medicine in Malawi. Its

secretariat is based at the University of Malawi‘s College of Medicine in Blantyre.

MSA (Malawi) is a member of the International Federation of Medical Students Asso-

ciation (IFMSA), a World Health Organisation (WHO)-recognised platform for medi-

cal students‘ associations whose main aims are:

1. To bring people together to exchange, discuss and initiate projects that create a healthier world.

2. To give its members the skills and resources to be health leaders.

3. To advocate for pressing issues that matter and shape the world we want

4. To deliver projects, campaigns and activities that positively impact the ‗physicians-to-be‘ and the communities they

serve.

IFMSA comprises regional bodies, one of which is the African body that has more than twenty-four national associa-

tions including MSA (Malawi). The regional bodies hold annual conferences that are hosted by national associations.

To host the conferences, national associations are required to submit a winning competitive bid. We are pleased and

humbled to advise that MSA Malawi‘s bid that was submitted in December 2018 to host the 2019 African regional

conference emerged the best in the region. This is a huge responsibility for MSA (Malawi) as it will be hosting such a

high-profile conference which will attract almost 150 delegates from across the African continent for the 1st time.

The conference will be held under the theme ―Financing the Health Sector: A Pathway to Universal Health Coverage‖.

1. Health financing is regarded as a crucial element in the delivery of excellent health service to the extent that the

Abuja Declaration set 15% of national budgets to be allocated to the health sector if the sector has to make a positive

impact to heath of citizens.

2. Most countries particularly in Africa (Malawi included) are failing to comply with the Abuja Declaration on the

15% health financing threshold. This has resulted in the over-reliance by African countries on donor financing for the

sector which exposes the countries to the risk of health sector collapse should donors withdraw their financial support.

3. As ‗physicians-to-be‘, IFMSA members who are the future leaders in the health sector, ought to begin to proactive-

ly think, discuss and strategize on how they will tackle the challenge of health financing.

MSA (Malawi) and College of Medicine are thus asking for your support that can be in cash, direct payment to suppli-

ers or material donations. We believe your assistance will be an investment into the health well-being of the nations

through improved health and productivity. Financial contributions can be made to the following account either by

cheque or direct payment.

Account Name: ARM2019MW

Account Number: 1004729044

Bank Branch: Top Mandala

Swift Code: NBMAMWMW

Physical Address: National Bank of Malawi, National Bank Towers, 7th Henderson Street, P.O. Box 945, BT, Malawi

All sponsors will be acknowledged verbally at the conference and in writing soon after the conference.

We will greatly appreciate your sponsorship in this regard and hope to continue partnering with you in our future

activities and events.

If you need further information concerning the conference, Please contact the chairperson of the organizing commit-

tee, Dr Samuel Mpinganjira on slmpinganjira@medcol.mw +265882 32 9520 or the Vice Chairperson Mr Chifundo

Gwesere on cgwesere@medcol.mw +265994 491 533

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SOCIAL INNOVATION IN HEALTH INITIATIVE

(SIHI)

WHAT IS SOCIAL INNOVATION IN HEALTH?

Why The Need of Innovative Social Solutions?

Malawi has made strong progress and achieved some of its health targets and goals. However, over half of

leading causes of illness and death are preventable and a proportion of the population is still underserved.

Providing quality health care and getting medicines, vaccines and diagnostics to those who need them most

is a great challenge

The Malawi Health Sector Strategic Plan II, National Community Health Strategy 2017-2022 and Sustaina-

ble Development Goal Era are calling for a new and more inclusive approach to achieve equitable, afforda-

ble quality health services for all, where the voice of all actors are acknowledged and greater partnerships

are fostered across sectors.

What is Social Innovation in Health?

Social Innovation in Health is a creative

solution to a systematic health challenge.

Social innovation is both a process and an

outcome. The social innovation process is

initiated due to an existing complex social

health challenge that has not been solved

by conventional methods and means.

This process of developing better and

new solutions is collaborative, co-creative

and inclusive of actors from different

backgrounds. It starts with the perspective

of the person/ community for which the

solution is being created and not only

engages those affected by the challenge

but equips and empowers them. This inclusive nature leads to communities with enhanced capacity to act

and take ownership of their own health.

The outcome of social innovation can be two-fold: tangible and transformational. Tangible outcomes are

new services, products, financial models, behaviours and policies that are more efficient, effective and sus-

tainable than the status quo. By also challenging social practices, rules and social relationships, social inno-

vation does more than just address a problem; it provides an alternative that changes and makes systems

more resilient.

Kaundu Community members have actively played a role in improving

their own health

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SOCIAL INNOVATION IN HEALTH INITIATIVE

(SIHI)

This systems transforming dimension of social innovation sets it apart from more common forms of innova-

tion. The on-going inquiry of Social Innovation in Health Initiative Malawi is to better understand the val-

ue and contribution that social innovations can make to strengthen health systems for greater inclusiveness,

equity and affordability of healthcare services for millions of people. Malawi has experimented with several

initiatives that illustrate how communities can play a key role in improving their own health and non-

traditional health partnerships with nongovernmental, private sector, frontline health workers and govern-

ments to enhance community efforts and to initiate, implement and sustain solutions addressing key health

challenges.

Communities living in hard to reach rural areas with only fee-for-service health facilities have limited access

to health services. In Dedza East, community members, traditional leaders and Kaundu Health Centre an

affiliate of the Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM) initiated and implemented community

based health insurance where members contribute a set amount each month; this has reduced the out of

pocket expenditure associated with seeking health care services to 20%, extending access to care. ―Talking

to people in the community, we learned that people could not come (to the hospital) because they were

not able to pay when (they were) sick. To find money to go to the hospital, People would have to borrow

money or sell chickens‖ says Matthews Simbi, Lead Project Implementer. Community members have de-

fined roles and responsibilities in co-creating and delivery, social accountability of the solution resulting in

enhanced community engagement in local governance structures beyond health through collective action.

Since inception the Kaundu Health Centre has been able to employ and retain two nurses and procure es-

sential drugs.

Learner Treatment Kit is a cross-sector, collaborative initiative that supports teachers to address the high

burden of malaria experienced by school-age children through diagnosis and treatment within primary

schools. This innovation helps children not miss school and get treatment when they need it most, through

the education and health sectors collaboration. ―Because if learners are treated within the school, there is a

smile on the face of the parents. It reduces the burden of travelling long distances to go to health services.

They concentrate on their day-to-day activities. Productivity at the household improves because they are

not spending time admitting the child to hospital etc.‖ National Education Officer, Lilongwe.

Social Innovation in Health Malawi continues to explore and map innovative solutions that are improving

healthcare. Are you or do you know someone having an innovative solution improving healthcare in Ma-

lawi? Get in touch: malawi@socialinnovationinhealth.org. Learn more at

www.socialinnovationinhealth.org/malawi

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An evaluation of the effectiveness, facilitators & barriers of

HIV teen clubs in achieving successful transition from teen to

By Jerome Galagade

Introduction: Good adherence and retention in care are prerequisites for effective management of HIV-

positive adolescents. Studies, however, have shown high attrition when adolescents move from pediatric to

adult care. WHO's 2016 review of various Differentiated Service Delivery models for adolescents recog-

nized HIV Teen Club as an efficient model for ensuring strong adherence and viral suppression. ⠀

Objectives: The objectives of the study were as follows:to estimate the proportion of eligible Adolescent

Living with HIV(ALHIV) enrolled in Teen Clubs in

Blantyre who have successfully transitioned to

adult care within six months of the expected tran-

sition time, to assess the health facilities‘ fidelity in

the implementation of HIV Teen Clubs‘ adult care

transition protocols, to determine social, demo-

graphic and health system factors associated with

successful transition from HIV Teen Clubs to adult

Care.

Methods: The study was a retrospective observa-

tional cohort involving 131 ALHIV who were par-

ticipating in HIV teen club, had reached the age

of 18 or 19 years between July - December 2017

and service providers in health facilities involved

in Teen Clubs and ART treatment. Patient records

were systematically extracted from Electronic

Medical Records (EMR), checklist and In-depth

Interviews (IDI) were used to collect observation-

al data and perspectives of service providers re-

spectively. Descriptive analysis was used to calcu-

late the proportion of eligible adolescents in HIV

Teen Clubs who successfully transitioned to adult

care at six months after their transition. Multiple

logistical regression model was conducted to as-

sess factors associated with successful transition.

For observation data, a composite score analysis was used to assess fidelity to implementation of transition

protocols while IDI data was analysed using NVIVO through thematic content analysis.

Results: We found that there is low proportion (6.9%) of eligible ALHIV enrolled in Teen Clubs who suc-

cessfully transitioned to adult care within six months of the expected transition time. Fidelity in implemen-

tation of HIV Teen Clubs‘ adult care transition protocols in health facilities was found to be medium and

the findings also showed an association between implementation fidelity and ALHIV successful transition to

adult care. Facility location and ownership was noted to be significantly associated with ALHIV successful

transition. While sex of the adolescent and the type of adolescent guardian were observed to be not signifi-

cantly associated with successful transition. Lack of training in transitioning ALHIV, lack of clear guidelines

or tools to support transition, inadequate human resource and refusal of ALHIV to transition to adult care

were health system factors noted to negatively influence successful transition.

Conclusion: Transitioning ALHIV from pediatric to adult care should be considered a serious challenge fac-

ing Malawi health system. The existence of many ALHIV in HIV teen clubs who are refusing/failing to

transition to adult care should be seen as a problem needing serious attention.

About the author: Jerome Galagade is the Improving Medical Edu-

cation in Malawi (IMEM) Monitoring and Evaluation Manager

(COM), Africa Centre of Excellence in Public Health & Herbal Med-

icine (ACEPHEM) and Malawi HIV Implementation Research Scien-

tist Training (M-HIRST) Research Fellow.

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Self-Management and its Associated Factors

Among People Living with Diabetes in Blantyre

By Chimwemwe Kwanjo Banda.

Background: Self-management is key to the control of glycaemia and prevention of complications

in people living with diabetes. Many people living with diabetes in Malawi have poorly controlled

glucose and they experience diabetes-related complications. This study aimed to assess diabetes self

-management behaviours and to identify factors associated with it among people living with dia-

betes at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH),

Blantyre, Malawi.

Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 510 adults

attending a diabetes clinic at a teaching referral hospital

in southern Malawi. The social cognitive theory was

applied to identify factors associated with following all

recommended self-management behaviours. Data on

participants‘ demographics, clinical history, diabetes

knowledge, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, social

support, environmental barriers and diabetes self-

management were collected. Univariate and multivari-

ate logistic regression analyses were conducted to iden-

tify factors associated with following all self-

management behaviours.

Results: The mean age of participants was 53.6 (SD 13.3) years. Self-reported medication adher-

ence within the last seven days was 88.6% (n=494); 77% reported being physically active for at

least 30 minutes on more than three days in the previous seven days; 69% reported checking their

feet every day and inspecting inside their shoes; 58% reported following a healthy diet regularly.

Overall, only 33% reported following all the self-management behaviours regularly. Multiple lo-

gistic regression analysis showed that self-efficacy was the only social cognitive factor associated

with following all the self-management practices (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Participants in our study were not consistently achieving all self-management practic-

es with dietary practices being the least adhered to behaviour by many. To improve self-

management practices of people living with diabetes, current health education programs should

not only aim at improving diabetes related knowledge but also self-efficacy. Adopting interven-

tions that promote self-efficacy in diabetes patients such as exposure to role models, peer educa-

tion, providing positive feedback, and counselling is recommended.

For more about this research, kindly follow this link: https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/2-161/v1

The author: Chimwemwe Kwanjo Banda

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COMSSA Participates at UMSSA Games

The College of Medicine Staff Sports Association (COMSSA) in collaboration with University of Malawi

Staff Sports Association (UMSSA) organised intervarsity games that were held at Chancellor College from

31st August to 1st September, 2019. These games were, according to members of the organising committee,

part of the preparations for the Southern African Universities Staff Association (SAUSSA) games to be played

at Chinhoyi University of

Science and Technology in

Zimbabwe in December,

2019.

The teams that participated

in the intervarsity games at

Chancellor college were;

Chancellor College, College

of Medicine, Kamuzu Col-

lege of Nursing, Polytechnic,

Malawi University of Science

and Technology, Lilongwe

University of Agriculture and

Natural Resources, Old Mu-

tual, Domasi College of Edu-

cation and Police College

Socials.

These teams competed in

several disciplines such as football, netball, volleyball, Athletics, Pool, Darts, Chess and Bawo. President for

College of Medicine Staff Sports Association (COMSSA) Amos Msopera said it was important for the college

to be participating in these games as they allow for social interaction between members of staff from differ-

ent colleges and that he was so thankful to the COM management for the support it renders to its sporting

staff whenever there is need.

―As staff, we need to take

our time away from the

computers and socialise. Not

only that but also we need

to be physically fit as em-

ployees. Physical exercises

are very important for us as

employees‖ said Msopera.

At this tournament, COM

netball and athletics teams

came out as winners while

COM football and pool

teams came third.

COM netball team at UMSSA intervarsity games

COM football team pose for a photograph before their first game at the UMSSA games

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Training Calendar - March to August 2019

March April May June July August

2nd-4th

Manuscript

Writing

6th-10th

Geographical

Information

Systems

10th-13th

Project

Management

2nd-5th

Refresher Good Clinical

Practices

5th-7th

Introduction

to

Biostatistics

18th-20th

Intermediate

Biostatistics

8th-10th

Strategic

Planning

15th-17th

Basic Good Clinical

Practice

18th-20th

Basic Good

Laboratory

Practices

23rd-25th

Writing

Winning

Proposals

20th-24th

Finance for Non

Finance Managers

24th-28th

Post Graduate

Quantitative

Research

Methods

(Intermediate)

15th-19th

Post Graduate

Qualitative

Research

Methods

(Basic)

13th-16th

Post graduate

Qualitative

Research

Methods

(Intermediate)

Introduction

to

Biostatistics

28th

Concise

Good

Clinical Practices

22nd-26th

Monitoring

and

Evaluation

27th-29th

Basic Good Clinical

Practices

For more information on these courses or any issue related to research training, contact: rsccourses@medcol.mw

Training Calendar - October to December 2019

October November December

7th-9th

Strategic Planning

1st

Concise Good

Clinical Practices

2nd-6th

Monitoring

and

Evaluation

10th-13th

Basics of Clinical Research Data

Management

29th-30th

Public Speaking

26th-28th

Basic Good Clinical Practices

For more information on these courses or any issue related to research training, contact: rsccourses@medcol.mw

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WHAT IS COM RESEARCH SUPPORT CENTRE?

WHAT DOES IT DO?

Research Support Centre (RSC) was established in 2006 at the University

of Malawi‘s College of Medicine under the office of the Postgraduate

Studies and Research. Its aim is to promote research by provid-

ing comprehensive research support and grants management services

to CoM faculty members, students as well as research affiliates and col-

laborators.

Vision: To become a one-stop centre of excellence for grants

management and research support to ensure conduct of world-

class research

Mission: To create and maintain a stimulating environment at

COM for generation of new knowledge and high impact research

through research leadership development, delivery of research

training and mentorship programmes, and provision of research

support services

SERVICES PROVIDED

1. Research Clinics - One-on-one consultations in research areas where re-

searchers are facing challenges such as Statistical analysis, budget develop-

ment, clinical trial related issues and data management.

2. Clinical Trial Monitoring - RSC has an experienced Senior Clinical Research

Associate who monitors clinical trials, supports clinical trial coordination

and offers clinical trial pharmacy services.

3. Clinical Trial Pharmacy - COM has a clinical trial pharmacy which stocks

drugs that are used in clinical trials. Pharmacy Department and RSC work

together to provide relevant services.

4. Data Management - RSC has a data management unit which has expertise

in design, review and finalization of Case Record Form (CRFs); develop-

ment of CRF completion guidelines and Data Validation Specifications; da-

tabase design and implementation; Development of Window-based, Web

or Mobile Electronic Data Capture systems; Data Processing Validation;

Data entry; Data cleaning, Data analysis, Data integration.

5. Grants Management - Through provision of pre-award and post-award

support e.g. budget development, risk management, procurement and hu-

man resource management, contract review, negotiation and finalisation.

6. Translation - We translate manuscripts in the following languages: Chiche-

wa, English, Sena, Tumbuka and Yao.

7. Training courses - RSC has comprehensive training programmes. For infor-

mation on upcoming courses, visit www.rsc.medcol.mw to get a copy of

the training calendar. If you would like to have a tailor-made course, con-

tact rsccourses@medcol.mw.

8. Provision of research information - RSC website (www.medcol.mw) is a

hub for research related information. Some of the information available

includes information on funding and training opportunities.

Contact Us

For more information about

our services, contact us on

the following:

Physical address:

Research Support Centre,

ICT/ Postgraduate Building

(College of Medicine, Ma-

hatma Gandhi Campus,)

Mahatma Gandhi Road,

Blantyre, Malawi.

Room 857

Phone:

+265 (0)111 871911 ext 309

Mailing address:

Research Support Centre,

College of Medicine,

P/Bag 360, Chichiri,

Blantyre 3, Malawi.

Email:

info@medcol.mw

Website:

www.rsc.medcol.mw

Twitter

@com_rsc

Linkedin

COM Research Support Cen-

tre

Facebook

Research Support Centre

Instagram

com_research_support_centr

e

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Fertility and Fertility Preservation for Patients with Diseases that Previously Precluded Reproduction (R21

Clinical Trial Optional)

The purpose of this FOA is to encourage studies on reproductive health, fertility and fertility preservation

or fertility treatment options in patients born with a serious chronic condition who can now expect to sur-

vive into adulthood healthy enough to consider their reproductive health and fertility options. The under-

lying pathophysiology of diseases such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and cystic fibrosis, among others,

and/or the cumulative effects of their treatment, can compromise reproductive health.

Link: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-20-021.html

Application Deadline: 28 October, 2019

Using Archived Data and Specimen Collections to Advance Maternal and Pediatric HIV/AIDS Research (R21

Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to address the needs of the maternal

and pediatric HIV scientific community for research data translation and sharing. This initiative will support

secondary data analyses using archived HIV/AIDS data and specimens to generate new research questions

and findings relevant to the scientific mission and priorities of the NICHD, Maternal and Pediatric Infectious

Disease Branch (MPIDB) and Office of AIDS Research (OAR).

Link: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-20-020.html

Application Deadline: 1st November, 2019

Innovative Epidemiologic Approaches for Understanding Long-term Health Outcomes of HIV-exposed Uninfected

(HEU) Populations (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to encourage the use of a phased research approach

to generate information needed to develop interventions to reduce long-term effects of in utero/perinatal exposure to

antiretroviral therapy (ART) and/or HIV on health outcomes. This FOA will support two-phased research applications

to (1) demonstrate the capacity to enroll sufficient numbers of HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants, children, ado-

lescents, and/or young adults in the United States and/or international settings with high HIV burden, and then, to (2)

utilize the established cohort to conduct innovative epidemiological approaches to assess health in these populations.

Link: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-20-008.html

Application Deadline: 02 November, 2019

Pregnancy as a Vulnerable Time Period for Women's Health (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to accelerate multidisciplinary research

projects studying the effects of environmental chemicals on maternal physiology, and endocrine and meta-

bolic functions during and shortly after pregnancy, as well as potential long-term maternal health effects

caused by environmental exposures.

Link: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-ES-20-003.html

Application Deadline: 6 November, 2019

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Non-invasive Diagnostics to Improve Gynecologic Health (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Optional)

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to encourage small businesses to collaborate with

scientists and clinicians in the field of gynecologic health to develop, advance, and validate new devices and methods

for non-invasive diagnosis and/or screening of endometriosis, adenomyosis, and/or uterine fibroids. Projects support-

ed will aim to shorten the time to diagnosis, decrease the invasiveness of current techniques, and/or improve accessi-

bility, safety, convenience, and costs of diagnosis and/or screening.

Link: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-20-019.html

Application Deadline: 10 November, 2019

Consortium on the Neurobiology of Adolescent Drinking in Adulthood (NADIA) Research Projects (Collaborative U01

- Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits research cooperative agreements as part of the Neurobiology

of Adolescent Drinking in Adulthood (NADIA) consortium to elucidate persistent changes in complex brain function-

behavior relationships following adolescent alcohol exposure. The purpose of this FOA is to support collaborative

research projects (U01) focusing on research efforts across different research institutions investigating the consequences

of repeated adolescent alcohol exposure on brain maturation and adult abilities.

Link: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AA-20-003.html

Application Deadline: 18 November, 2019

Strategies to Improve Health Outcomes and to Reduce Disparities in Rural Populations (R01 Clinical Trial

Optional)

This RFA encourages research to promote a greater understanding of the challenges faced by rural popula-

tion groups, for the development (or adoption/adaptation) of evidence-based interventions that can re-

duce health risks faced by rural Americans. Both prevention and treatment interventions are needed to ad-

dress rural health issues. Prevention strategies should address and measure reductions in risk factors and en-

hancement of protective factors, while treatment approaches would seek to measure and address ameliora-

tion of health in individuals living with existing conditions.

Link: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NR-20-001.html

Application deadline: 14 December, 2019

Improving the Reach and Quality of Cancer Care in Rural Populations (R01 Clinical Trial Required)

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to reduce the burden of cancer and im-

prove the quality of cancer care in rural areas among low-income and/or underserved populations. The

FOA encourages two types of applications: (1) observational research that includes intervention pilot test-

ing to understand and address predictors of cancer care/treatment and outcomes in rural low-income and/

or underserved populations; or (2) intervention research to address known predictors of cancer care/

treatment and outcomes in rural low-income and/or underserved populations.

Link: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-19-064.html

Application Deadline: 15 December, 2019

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PUBLICATIONS

Host-pathogen interactions between the skin and Staphylococcus aureus.

Krishna S, Miller LS.

Curr Opin Microbiol. 2012 Feb;15(1):28-35. doi: 10.1016/j.mib.2011.11.003. Epub 2011 Dec 1. Review.

Staphylococcus aureus evasion of innate antimicrobial defense.

Kraus D, Peschel A.

Future Microbiol. 2008 Aug;3(4):437-51. doi: 10.2217/17460913.3.4.437. Review.

Innate and adaptive immune responses against Staphylococcus aureus skin infections.

Krishna S, Miller LS.

Semin Immunopathol. 2012 Mar;34(2):261-80. doi: 10.1007/s00281-011-0292-6. Epub 2011 Nov 6. Review.

Neutrophils in innate host defense against Staphylococcus aureus infections.

Rigby KM, DeLeo FR.

Semin Immunopathol. 2012 Mar;34(2):237-59. doi: 10.1007/s00281-011-0295-3. Epub 2011 Nov 12. Review.

Differential induction of innate defense antimicrobial peptides in primary nasal epithelial cells upon stimulation with

inflammatory cytokines, Th17 cytokines or bacterial conditioned medium from Staphylococcus aureus isolates.

Burgey C, Kern WV, Römer W, Rieg S.

Microb Pathog. 2016 Jan;90:69-77. doi: 10.1016/j.micpath.2015.11.023. Epub 2015 Nov 23.

Immune regulatory activities of fowlicidin-1, a cathelicidin host defense peptide.

Bommineni YR, Pham GH, Sunkara LT, Achanta M, Zhang G.

Mol Immunol. 2014 May;59(1):55-63. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2014.01.004. Epub 2014 Feb 1.

Bacterial evasion of innate host defenses--the Staphylococcus aureus lesson.

Fedtke I, Götz F, Peschel A.

Int J Med Microbiol. 2004 Sep;294(2-3):189-94. Review.

Innate immunity as a key element in host defense against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Harrison CJ.

Minerva Pediatr. 2009 Oct;61(5):503-14. Review.

[Staphylococcus and its counter-measures against epidermal antimicrobial peptides].

Piérard-Franchimont C, Piérard GE.

Rev Med Liege. 2012 Apr;67(4):191-4. French.

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PUBLICATIONS

Colonization, pathogenicity, host susceptibility, and therapeutics for Staphylococcus aureus: what is the clinical rele-

vance?

Tong SY, Chen LF, Fowler VG Jr.

Semin Immunopathol. 2012 Mar;34(2):185-200. doi: 10.1007/s00281-011-0300-x. Epub 2011 Dec 11. Review.

Staphylococcus aureus virulence factors in evasion from innate immune defenses in human and animal diseases.

Zecconi A, Scali F.

Immunol Lett. 2013 Feb;150(1-2):12-22. doi: 10.1016/j.imlet.2013.01.004. Epub 2013 Jan 31. Review.

Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia strains to different skin-derived antimicrobial proteins.

Köten B, Becker K, Podschun R, von Eiff C, Meyer-Hoffert U, Harder J, Gläser R.

Arch Dermatol Res. 2012 Oct;304(8):633-7. doi: 10.1007/s00403-012-1284-7. Epub 2012 Sep 6.

Staphylococcal resistance to antimicrobial peptides of mammalian and bacterial origin.

Peschel A, Collins LV.

Peptides. 2001 Oct;22(10):1651-9. Review.

Antimicrobials from human skin commensal bacteria protect against Staphylococcus aureus and are deficient in atopic

dermatitis.

Nakatsuji T, Chen TH, Narala S, Chun KA, Two AM, Yun T, Shafiq F, Kotol PF, Bouslimani A, Melnik AV, Latif H, Kim

JN, Lockhart A, Artis K, David G, Taylor P, Streib J, Dorrestein PC, Grier A, Gill SR, Zengler K, Hata TR, Leung DY,

Gallo RL.

Sci Transl Med. 2017 Feb 22;9(378). pii: eaah4680. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aah4680.

Susceptibility of clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates to innate defense antimicrobial peptides.

Rieg S, Kaasch AJ, Wehrle J, Hofmann SC, Szymaniak-Vits M, Saborowski V, Jonas D, Kalbacher H, Seifert H, Kern

WV.

Microbes Infect. 2011 Aug;13(8-9):761-5. doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2011.03.010. Epub 2011 Apr 5.

Beyond conventional antibiotics for the future treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections: two

novel alternatives.

Fitzgerald-Hughes D, Devocelle M, Humphreys H.

FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2012 Aug;65(3):399-412. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-695X.2012.00954.x. Epub 2012 Apr 4.

Review.

Role of cytokines in host defense against Staphylococcus aureus skin infection.

Wu G, Zhu B, Hong X, Luo P, Xia Z.

Histol Histopathol. 2017 Aug;32(8):761-766. doi: 10.14670/HH-11-867. Epub 2017 Jan 12. Review.