The Thanzi la Onse (Health of All) research programme was formally launched during a three-day collaborative Initiation Event in Lilongwe, Malawi on 27 – 30 November 2017.
Attended by representatives from the Malawian Ministry of Health and Agriculture, national and regional health bodies including the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA), regional donors such as the World Bank and GIZ, and academic experts from the University of Malawi and Chancellor College, the event was an opportunity to introduce Thanzi la Onse’s purpose and goals to its target audience.
The Initiation Event also provided a chance for the Thanzi la Onse research team to learn more about the research environment in which they will be working. Presentations including overviews of the latest Malawi Health Sector Strategic Plan, ongoing health policy changes affecting Malawi’s health system, and regional efforts by the World Bank into health system strengthening.
Open discussions provided valuable opportunities for Thanzi la Onse researchers and local and regional decision-makers to discuss the key challenges affecting health resource allocation decisions in East and Southern Africa, and how Thanzi la Onse may contribute towards improving these processes. Participants enjoyed interactive sessions designed to inform Thanzi la Onse’s objectives, and ground the programme’s research and capability building activities in the realities of delivering healthcare to citizens.
[box]Participants enjoyed interactive sessions designed to inform Thanzi la Onse’s objectives, and ground the programme’s research and capability building activities in the realities of delivering healthcare to citizens.[/box]
While in Malawi, the Thanzi la Onse research team were fortunate to visit the site of the newly established Health Economics & Policy Unit (HEPU) at the College of Medicine Lilongwe campus, which will house the Thanzi la Onse Malawi-based research team. The team were also honoured to visit the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) and the Department of HIV & AIDS, and meet members of clinical and research staff to discuss their important work.
Thanzi la Onse would like to thank everyone who attended the event and participated in the valuable discussion sessions, with special thanks to Dr. Benson Chilima for opening the Event. Particular thanks go to Prof. Joseph Mfutso-Bengo, Dr. Benson Chilima and the staff at HEPU and PHIM for their hospitality during our visit.
