Innovation Week opens with strong calls for solutions to health sector challenges, regional collaboration

Malawi Liverpool Wellcome (MLW) research programme has expressed optimism that this year’s Innovation Week will generate practical solutions to address some of the long-standing challenges facing Malawi’s health sector.

The three-day event, currently underway in Blantyre, has drawn young innovators, policymakers, and researchers from both local and international institutions.

The goal is to promote collaboration and turn research and ideas into real healthcare solutions.

MLW Director, Henry Mwandumba, said this year’s Innovation Week builds on the success of last year’s event, which helped many young innovators develop their ideas.

“Malawi is rich in talent. Through our Innovations Hub, we are offering a platform where young innovators can present their ideas and connect with industry experts, regulators, and government decision-makers who can help them move their ideas from concept to market,” said Mwandumba.

He said MLW’s Innovation Hub will continue to support young innovators by providing mentorship, technical guidance, and help in navigating regulatory frameworks.

Adding to the conversation, Arox Kamng’ona, Executive Dean at the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), stressed the need to ensure that research conducted in Malawi does not remain locked away in academic journals but instead translates into real health solutions that benefit local communities.

“Our research must have real-world impact. This can only happen through closer collaboration between researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and other key stakeholders,” said Kamng’ona.

From a regional perspective, Robert Ssekitoleko, a Biomedical Engineer from Makerere University in Uganda, called for the harmonization of health innovation regulations across sub-Saharan Africa.

He noted that while Uganda has made strides in biomedical engineering education and innovation, many African countries still face barriers in scaling and adopting local innovations.

“We need to move from winning awards to delivering solutions that meet the needs of our people. If countries in Africa harmonize regulations, medical devices made in one country could be easily accepted in others, just like the European Union’s CE Mark system,” Ssekitoleko said.

Ssekitoleko stressed that regional collaboration could help African innovators overcome challenges in sourcing raw materials and gaining regulatory approval for medical devices.

As the Innovation Week continues, organizers and participants are hopeful that the event will not only spark new ideas but also influence policy changes that make it easier for local innovations to reach the market and improve healthcare delivery across Malawi and the region.

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