Financial gaps threaten progress against Non-Communicable Diseases

Limited financing and weak implementation capacity continue to undermine Malawi’s response to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), forcing health advocates to rethink strategy and push affected communities to the forefront of policy and decision-making.

The Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance states that a recent review of the country’s 2025 NCD response has revealed persistent structural and financial challenges that are hindering progress, particularly in awareness campaigns, coordination of interventions, and access to essential services.

Speaking to Malawi24, Alliance member Dingani Mithi said inadequate funding remains one of the biggest obstacles, constraining the rollout of planned activities and limiting the reach of prevention and care initiatives.

The review has also highlighted the marginal involvement of people living with NCDs in shaping policies that directly affect them, prompting calls for patients and survivors to “claim their space” in decision-making processes.

“These challenges show that the response cannot succeed without the meaningful participation of people living with NCDs, both at community and national levels,” Mithi said.Despite these setbacks, the Alliance has made notable strides.

It has mobilised community-based NCD support groups that are now playing oversight and advocacy roles within their localities, while also strengthening engagement with people living with NCDs to promote fairness and equity in access to health care services.

In an effort to address funding shortfalls, the Alliance is intensifying engagement with the private sector and investing in grassroots structures to strengthen the community-level response.

The urgency of these efforts is highlighted by statistics indicating that about 22 percent of deaths in Malawi are linked to non-communicable diseases, pointing to critical gaps in diagnostics and the availability of essential medical supplies.

As part of its community-driven approach, the NCD Alliance has successfully mobilised support groups in Traditional Authorities Kabudula and Khongoni in Lilongwe district, small but significant steps in tackling a growing public health challenge amid persistent constraints.

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