NSO conducts health survey

National Statistical Office (NSO) is conducting the Malawi Demographic Health Survey 2024 that is expected to give a picture of how the country stands on health indicators.

The survey is collecting information related to reproductive health, fertility, nutrition, gender-based violence and HIV and Aids, among others.

Preliminary results are expected to be released this year followed by comprehensive results later.

Parties involved in the survey, including top government officials and United Nations (UN) agencies’ officials jointly supervised the exercise in Chirimba Township in Blantyre on Tuesday.

UN Population Fund country representative Nelida Rodrigues said the health survey remained one of the most important to understand the latest Malawi standing since the last survey was done in 2016.

She said: “All that information is critical for the government and all of us that are contributing towards the development of this country to measure how we are making good progress, if we are not making good progress, why?

“So, this is the kind of survey that provides this kind of information to understand.”

Rodrigues added that the on-going survey would also provide reasons behind some indicators and correct some of the interventions as the country moves towards Malawi 2063.

NSO Commissioner Shelton Kanyanda said the commission facilitated the joint supervision of the demographic health survey to allow its partners to appreciate the process and progress.

“This is the kind of global survey which we use to monitor the situation in Malawi and is comparable to so many countries across the globe” he said.

Kanyanda said the survey, which started on May 13, is expected to be concluded in August with estimates from every district, but might be extended in some areas. Rodrigues and Kanyanda separately said there was still a funding need for laboratory tests to complete the study and hoped other partners would come in to support.