Africa CDC Launches Regional Health Communication Audit in Malawi

Malawi has become one of ten African Union member states selected for a regional assessment by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), as part of a continental effort to strengthen health communication and community engagement systems.

The four-day mission, which began on July 8, 2025, is evaluating the country’s capacity in Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), with a particular spotlight on the effectiveness of immunization campaigns and how public health messages are received and acted upon at the community level.

Speaking during a media engagement in Lilongwe on Tuesday, Africa CDC’s Continental Social and Behavior Change Coordinator, Priscilla Madzinga-Kusena, emphasized that the initiative is not just about data collection—it’s about reshaping the way health systems communicate with people.

“We see Malawi as a key partner in this process. The media in particular has played an exceptional role in influencing behavior change, building trust in vaccines, and providing timely, life-saving information,” said Madzinga-Kusena.

The assessment seeks to identify existing gaps in communication skills, behavioral data application, and the overall implementation strategies used by frontline health workers. It also highlights the importance of partnerships between governments, civil society, and media institutions in ensuring that health information reaches even the most remote communities.

Deputy Director for Health Promotion in the Ministry of Health, Kondwani Mamba, confirmed that the evaluation is part of a broader Africa CDC strategy targeting 10 countries. He noted that findings from the exercise will be used to improve national RCCE systems and guide future training and resource allocation.

“This is a valuable opportunity for Malawi to reflect on its communication models and invest in the capacity of our health workers and media to deliver accurate, culturally sensitive, and impactful health messages,” Mamba said.

The Africa CDC mission comes at a time when the continent is reinforcing public health resilience following lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and aiming to build stronger foundations for future health emergencies.