Shorai Nyambalo Ng’ambi:
The impact that the Covid pandemic has on people with chronic diseases, also referred to as non-communicable diseases (NCD) is so critical that it has become a vital focus of healthcare delivery in Malawi.
It has also led to the integration of NCD interventions in the country’s national Covid-19 response programme.
Globally, NCDs account for 74 percent of all deaths. These include cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases.
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In Malawi, the fight against NCDs is hampered by inadequate knowledge and limited screening for early detection and treatment of the diseases, especially in rural areas.
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With support from United States Agency for International Development, through Unicef, the Ministry of Health rolled out community-level NCD interventions that are integrated in its Covid response.
In one of the interventions, health workers conduct door-to-door screenings that seek to improve detection of NCDs and ensure timely referrals for treatment.
Demister Banda, 64, from Mbalu Village in Traditional Authority (TA) Chimaliro in Thyolo District is one of the persons recently screened through the initiative.
He used to be unaware that he was at risk of high blood pressure until a health worker from Chimaliro Health Centre visited him at home.
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“I was just going about my days, unaware of the ticking time bomb inside me,” he says. “If it were not for the screening that was done at my home, I wouldn’t have known what was going on in my body.”
The results of his blood pressure check showed he had a dangerously high blood pressure reading which prompted the health surveillance assistant (HAS), McKnight Maliro, to immediately refer him for further examination and treatment at Chimaliro Health Centre.
“At first, I was shocked when the health worker informed me that my blood pressure was very high, but later I appreciated the revelation because it became a catalyst for my journey towards better health. Now, I’m very grateful for the opportunity to take control of my health,” Banda says.
Banda was referred to Chimaliro Health Centre where he was given treatment and counselled on how to live healthily.
Thyolo, where Banda is based, is one of the districts implementing the integrated healthcare interventions that link NCD screening with Covid response activities, providing screening services for blood pressure and diabetes at the people’s doorsteps.
Maliro, who serves Mbalu area where Banda stays, says it is important to reach every household with the screening services so that no one is lost to undiagnosed NCDs.
He is optimistic that he will soon screen most of the people in his area although the task is challenging due to the high number of people, more than 1,000, that he serves.
“Our goal is to meet the clients where they are. We go door-to-door, offering screenings and referrals for those in need. This empowers individuals to take charge of their health. So far, I have referred 30 people for further treatment.
“We have seen a remarkable uptick in patients seeking assistance for NCDs, thanks to the accessibility of the screening services in the community. This is a game-changer in fighting non-communicable diseases,” Maliro says.
To succeed, the screening programme also involves community leaders who help to mobilise their constituents and promote the screening services.
Group Village Head Chimaliro is one of the community leaders who engaged her village heads to spread information about the screenings and encourage their subjects to participate in the programme.
“We cannot afford to overlook the silent threat of non-communicable diseases. We want every household to take advantage of this opportunity,” Chimaliro says.
Unicef Health Specialist Ghanashyam Sethy says the agency is closely working with the Ministry of Health to strengthen healthcare delivery across Malawi, including in the fight against NCDs.
“Our mission is to ensure that no community is left behind in the fight against NCDs. We have procured the necessary equipment, including BP and diabetes screening machines, to facilitate the delivery of these services,” Sethy says.
In Chimaliro area, through collaborative efforts and community engagement, the silent threat of NCDs is being addressed.
With each screening, each referral, and each empowered individual like Banda, the journey towards a healthier future for Thyolo district marches onward.
