Ministry of Health says research is vital to Malawi’s quest for quality health care service delivery. Director of Curative and Medical Rehabilitation Services in the Ministry of Health, Dr Jonathan Ngoma, was speaking in Lilongwe during the dissemination of the Multilink study released by the Malawi Liverpool Welcome Trust (MLW) Programme in collaboration with the Kamuzu College of Health Sciences (KUHeS).
The Research findings were on the study titled ‘Multimorbidity associated emergency hospital admissions; a screen and link strategy to improve outcomes for high risk patients in sub Saharan Africa’.
Dr Ngoma says the Ministry is pushing for an integrated health service system that will allow patients to receive holistic care under one roof instead of being treated for individual illnesses in separate clinics.
He said the research highlights the need for integrated healthcare approaches that address the complex needs of individuals with multiple conditions.
Professor Adamson Muula, who represented MLW Directorate, said the research initiative focused on understanding multimorbidity in low-income settings.
He said the study explores how multiple health conditions intersect and impact individuals and healthcare systems.
Professor Muula said researchers have now handed over their findings to the Ministry of Health, calling for swift adoption of evidence-based models to strengthen policy and ensure patients receive comprehensive and efficient care.
He said the Multilink study has provided valuable insights into the burden of multimorbidity, particularly among older adults.
Among the key findings from the Multilink study is high prevalence of multimorbidity in Malawi, with many individuals living with two or more chronic conditions: Hypertension and HIV being among the most common conditions contributing to multimorbidity.
