From 2nd to 4th October, 2024, WASHTED members joined researchers, experts and stakeholders in a knowledge-sharing and learning event which took place at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre, Malawi. The event, themed “Research and Innovation Driving Health Towards #MW2063 ” featured a wide range of activities including panel discussions, oral and poster presentations.
The event kicked off with exciting presentations from the key note speakers including the Guest of Honour, Minister of Health, Hon. Khumbidze Kandodo Chiponda.
Day two involved oral and poster presentations. One of our Research Associates, Rossanie Daudi Malolo – a PhD candidate- gave an oral presentation on “Examining interventions targeting adolescents in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH): a scoping review”.
The final day featured poster presentations from four of our researchers where key study findings from various projects were shared. Rossanie Daudi Malolo, shared findings on “using participatory photography to explore Water Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) practices among Malawian adolescents” and Monica Nzanga shared on “key water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices among in school and out of school adolescents in Blantyre and Mchinji” both studies under the NIHR Global Research Group on Improving adolescent Health & Wellbeing in Malawi.
The other two poster presentations were made by Blessings White who shared findings on Process Evaluation of CLTS implementation in Chiradzulu district, a study under WASH for Everyone project, and Taonga Mwapasa, on “plastic waste pollution ” under SPACES project. Additionally, Taonga Mwapasa gave out an exciting oral presentation during the breakout session on “Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and One Health in Malawi” under DRUM project.
Beyond the presentations, the conference was also a great networking and learning platform for our members as they engaged with fellow researchers, policy makers and experts across various health fields.
