Malawi is taking decisive steps to strengthen its health system after successfully eliminating a reimported wild poliovirus (WPV1) outbreak last year.
Malawi was certified free of indigenous wild poliovirus in 2020, alongside the rest of the African region.
However, the detection of a reimported case from South Asia in 2022 prompted an urgent response, prompting health authorities to respond swiftly and decisively halt transmission by May 2024.
By January 2025, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) had classified Malawi as low risk on its global polio watchlist, recognizing the country’s strong surveillance and containment efforts.
With external polio funding declining, Malawi is now focused on closing workforce and financing gaps to sustain gains.
Health leaders and stakeholders recently convened for the National Polio Transition Planning meeting, aiming to integrate polio eradication infrastructure – ranging from trained personnel to disease surveillance systems – into the broader national health framework.
The Polio Transition Plan, aligned with the Ministry of Health’s Immunisation Programme, is expected to reinforce disease prevention efforts across multiple sectors.
“Our ability to manage core functions nationally is vital to keep Malawi polio-free and strengthen responses to other vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Patrick Wataya Chirwa, chairperson of the National Certification Committee.
Polio resources have played a vital role in Malawi’s emergency health responses, and the transition plan seeks to preserve these assets while reinforcing immunisation, surveillance and outbreak preparedness.
World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in Malawi, Neema Kimambo noted the critical role of multisectoral collaboration, urging government agencies, civil society and local health authorities to maintain strong coordination in advancing health security.
“Malawi’s success will depend on strong coordination between the Ministry of Health, EPI, the Public Health Institute of Malawi, district councils, health partners, NGOs and communities themselves,” Kimambo said.
Sarah Wanyoike from WHO Africa Regional Office emphasised the need for integrated service delivery and expanded surveillance, stating that lessons from Malawi’s outbreak response can help fortify broader health resilience.
JN/APA