The ambitious scale-up initiative spearheaded by the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) and Malawi’s Ministry of Health is truly commendable. This effort demonstrates the power of collaborative partnerships to address the complex and long-neglected burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Africa, with a particular spotlight on type 1 diabetes. WDF’s focus on integrating chronic NCD care at the primary level reflects a profound understanding of the challenges faced by underserved communities. By decentralizing care through models like PEN-Plus by NCDI Poverty Network and leveraging digital health solutions such as the Diabetes Compass project, Malawi is setting a powerful precedent for scalable and sustainable healthcare systems. The deliberate engagement of communities—through patient support groups, Radio Listening Clubs, and training of health workers—shows an exceptional commitment to addressing the human side of healthcare. These grassroots initiatives ensure that no one is left behind, especially in resource-limited settings where health education and access are often barriers to care. What stands out even more is the acknowledgment of type 1 diabetes, a condition often overshadowed in NCD dialogues. WDF’s support in creating holistic care frameworks, coupled with Novo Nordisk’s CDiC program, offers a lifeline for children and adolescents living with type 1 diabetes. The introduction of educational camps for these young warriors is not just about healthcare—it is about fostering hope, resilience, and a sense of belonging in a world that too often overlooks them. As Zimbabwe gears up to take the baton from Malawi, we must draw lessons from this initiative. Partnerships like these are a clarion call for Ministries of Health across Africa to own and champion these programmes. The sustainability of such efforts hinges on governments stepping into leadership roles, ensuring these projects thrive beyond the support of international organisations. We have witnessed what happens when opportunities like these are not fully embraced, and it is a reminder to remain vigilant. The time to act is now. Let us not only celebrate the progress but also commit to building systems that endure—because our communities, children, and our future deserve nothing less. Kudos to WDF and its partners for this remarkable initiative. It is a step in the right direction for Africa's health equity journey. May we see this momentum grow stronger, with lasting impacts across the continent! Priyanka Rai Apoorva Gomber Mads Loftager Mundt Bente Mikkelsen Bent Lautrup-Nielsen
Continuing our global tour, we land in the warm heart of Africa, Malawi. 💙 Here, we have had the privilege of working closely with the Ministry of Health. After a decade of successful partnership, May began with the official launch of the third phase of the national NCD response, an ambitious scale-up prioritising people with chronic conditions like type 1 diabetes. 🌟 This programme builds on the successes and insights from 12 WDF-funded projects nationwide. It aims to extend NCD care to primary levels in underserved communities. 🧑🤝🧑 Our retrospective campaign continues as we pass on the baton to Zimbabwe next! ✈️ 🔗 https://buff.ly/3YJjqhM
Thank you for your thoughtful and comprehensive reflection on the scale-up initiative in Malawi. We are indeed proud to support collaborative efforts that address the burden of non-communicable diseases, particularly type 1 diabetes, in underserved communities. The integration of chronic NCD care at the primary level and the engagement of communities are key to creating sustainable healthcare systems. We hope that the lessons learned from Malawi will inspire similar initiatives across Africa, ensuring that these vital programmes continue to thrive. 🌍
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