For years, residents of Mangochi District’s remote villages have endured silent battles with health conditions they neither understood nor could afford to treat.
The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)—such as hypertension, diabetes, and mental health disorders—has grown heavier under the weight of long distances to hospitals, high transport costs, and chronic shortages of essential medicines.
Last weekend, that silence was broken.
At Malukula Primary School, in the area of Traditional Authority Chowe, the Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance Malawi (NCD Alliance Malawi) hosted an Open Day to mark World Mental Health Day and the Global Week on NCDs. The event brought health services directly to the community—offering screenings, treatment, and education in a setting that was both festive and deeply reflective.
For many attendees, it was the first time in months—or even years—that they had seen a medical professional.
“We wanted people to be diagnosed right at their doorstep and understand what steps to take,” said Dingani Mithi, a representative of NCD Alliance Malawi. “Our goal is to ensure no one is left behind when it comes to accessing health care.”
Mithi stressed the importance of awareness, but warned that it must be matched by action. “Civil society organisations and NCD alliances must raise awareness, yes—but authorities must also ensure that health facilities are stocked with essential medicines,” he said.
He expressed concern over the frequent absence of key NCD drugs in public health centres, many of which are listed on the World Health Organization’s Essential Medicines List. “It’s disheartening. People walk long distances only to return home empty-handed. This discourages future visits and leads to preventable deaths.”
The outreach event drew hundreds of participants, including traditional leaders, health workers, and schoolchildren. Free screenings were offered for blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, and mental health—services often inaccessible to rural residents.
For Salama Alabi, a mother from Malukula Village, the day was a rare opportunity. “We usually have to travel to Mangochi District Hospital, which costs around K10,000 in transport. Today, the services came to us. I checked my blood pressure and weight—it was worth it.”
Her sentiments were echoed by Yusuf Amin, another villager who had been unwell for months. “I couldn’t afford the trip to the hospital. Today, I feel God has visited us through these people,” he said, visibly relieved.
For both Alabi and Amin, the event offered more than medical care—it restored dignity and affirmed that their lives mattered.
District health officials welcomed the initiative as a critical intervention in reducing premature deaths linked to NCDs. George Goche, NCD coordinator at Mangochi District Hospital, praised the outreach for its timeliness and impact. “We’re grateful to the NCD Alliance for bringing services closer to the people. These efforts will save lives.”
Goche added that the district health office continues to encourage early diagnosis and regular checkups, noting that early detection is key to preventing complications.
The Malukula Open Day was part of a broader initiative titled Scaling up the Implementation Capacity for NCD Prevention and Management Strategies, funded by the World Diabetes Foundation through Partners in Health, with technical support from Malawi’s Ministry of Health.
As the drums of awareness echoed through the village, one message rang clear: NCDs are preventable, and help is possible—when it is brought closer to the people.
For Mithi and his team, the day’s success was measured not just in the number of people screened, but in the hope rekindled.
