Investing in training, infrastructure, and collaboration have been identified as key pathways for fostering innovation in Malawi. This was highlighted during the Science Café at the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) 3rd Research Dissemination Conference, held from October 2 to 4, 2024, at the Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre.

Associate Professor Arox Kamng’ona, Executive Dean of the School of Life Sciences and Allied Health Professions at KUHeS, expressed concern on the lack of knowledge, infrastructure, and communication between innovators and industry, describing these as significant barriers to innovation and development.

“Yes, we talk about Malawi 2063, but if we do not operate in an environment that nurtures creativity and safeguards these innovations, we will not progress. We need to create an enabling environment that allows creative minds to thrive, whilst protecting their innovations,” he stated.

He added, “I’m referring to the legal frameworks, government commitment, and private sector involvement. Innovation in health impacts everyone, regardless of education or profession. We must unite and speak a common language.”

Dr. Gift Kadzamira, Director General of the National Commission of Science and Technology and a panelist at the Science Café, noted that health innovations are crucial for realizing Malawi’s ambitious national development blueprint, Vision 2063.

She stated, “If we effectively utilize and commercialize innovations, we can achieve a healthier population. This includes health tourism, telemedicine, and advancements in health informatics and medical research.”

Reiterating the sentiments, Dr. Dough Sanyahumbi, an Innovation Management Professional, remarked that Malawi’s current innovation landscape is in its infancy, with significant growth potential.

He pointed to the availability of innovation spaces at universities like MUST and MUBAS as a positive sign.

“Institutions like KUHeS, MUST, MUBAS, and LUANAR have adopted new teaching approaches, particularly in engineering, emphasizing problem-solving through invention education,” Sanyahumbi added.

This year’s KUHeS Research Dissemination Conference was held under the theme “Research and Innovation Driving Health Towards Malawi Vision 2063.”