The Malawi Environmental Health Association hosted a National Environmental Health Conference and Annual General Meeting in collaboration with its stakeholders under the theme “Environmental Health: Uniting disciplines to protect Public Health”.
The conference and AGM was held at Livingstonia Sunbird Hotel in Salima, Malawi on the 7th and 8th of November, 2023. The guest of honor for the event was the Minister of Health and Population, Hon Khumbidze Kandodo Chiponda MP who declared the conference open after inspiring EHPs and commending them on the role they are playing in protecting the health of the Public.
The keynote speaker for the event was Associate Professor Christabel Kambala from the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), one of the Environmental Health gurus. Beyond her presence being an inspiration to fellow ladies in the profession and all conference participants, she made a comprehensive informative speech on the “Interconnectedness of Environmental Health”. Her time with the audience, indicated how wide the profession is and how it interlinks with other professions. Hence, calling the need for disciplines working in a coordinated way while playing their specific roles.
Something extraordinary was done this time around! Entrepreneurship in environmental health. Yes, for the first time ever, Malawi Environmental Health Association incorporated an entrepreneurial talk to empower EHPs to consider venturing into entrepreneurship by developing solutions to address some of the existing health challenges. The CEO of Nvumaramba Group of companies, Zambia, Mr. Kennedy Nduna gave his presentation on the topic “Entrepreneurship in Environmental Health” which took participants on a journey of exploring ways of earning money and getting more out of the field of environmental health and not just sorely relying on employment. One could tell from the audience’s reaction that a fire not to be easily quenched has been sparked. It was noticeable that individuals made personal vows to explore and venture into entrepreneurship.
Along with Mr. Nduna, were 4 ladies and a gentleman. The Secretary General for the Zambian Environmental Health Institute (ZIEH) who represented their Institute and the ladies were leader for the ZIEH women’s Chapter. Dr Lilian Mutesu (the lead for the ZIEH women’s chapter raised awareness of the existence of the chapter aiming at mainstreaming gender in Environmental Health. The primary objective behind its creation was to boost female participation in the profession. She shared the key mandates and responsibilities for the chapter which includes promotion of specialization, urging women to excel in specific pillars of environmental health. Their presences and knowledge sharing prompted the MEHA women to consider developing the MEHA women’s chapter considering the existing gender issues. As an immediate response to the call, MEHA women at the conference decided to form an interim committee for the “MEHA women’s chapter”.
The presence of these international delegates was applauded as it provided an opportunity for sharing cross boarder issues and learning of contextual issues being experienced in the profession. MEHA and ZIEH started conversations to consider having a Memorandum of Understanding by the two professional bodies.
The conference brought an opportunity for EHPs who are engaged in research to disseminate the findings of their work. This gesture confirmed the rile that the profession plays in providing information to the Nation to support in development and implementation of evidence based interventions. The scientific presentations were made of course tackling the pillars in EH ranging from Pollution control, Food safety and hygiene, community health, water quality/ Waster Sanitation and Hygiene(WASH) to health policy and preventive medicine.
In effort to promote young researchers, MEHA gave room for an undergraduate student from Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), Timothy Sailesi, to make a presentation on his abstract titled: Carrying out risk based food inspection in Malawi: an effective food inspection strategy in ensuring good health and wellbeing. Furthermore, the Centre of Water, Sanitation, Health & Appropriate Technology Development a Research Centre at MUBAS had a chance to showcase the research outputs and innovations developed at the Centre. Beyond this they showcase how the conference has impacted them in this article(here).
Considering that the Ministry of Health among other ministries plays a key-role in issues to do with environmental health. Mr. Jera, DEHO for Phalombe, who made a presentation on behalf of Mr Allone Ganizani from the Ministry of Health, provided updates on the roles of various health personnel and highlighted the existing sections within the health system in Malawi.
Various stakeholders graced the conference and others supported financially as well. The National Water Resource Authority (NRWA), Water for People, Self-help Africa, Evidence Action, Bawi Consultants & Pump Aid sponsored the conference and AGM. On behalf of Dr. Dwight Kambuku, a representative from NWRA shared the functions of the Authority and considerations to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MEHA and NRWA to support in implementing its agenda. This will help NRWA to be able to reach the hard to reach areas as Environmental Health Professionals are employed across all districts and catchment areas.
The event was one unique opportunity for EHPs in Malawi and outside Malawi to recognize the need of uniting disciplines to address various Public Health challenges which are changing daily.
