The 12th and 13th of April marked dynamic and enriching learning opportunities for the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome programme community and external participants who engaged in a radio programme production session with BBC Radio. Across these two days, the crew produced two distinct programmes: Crowd Science on the first day and The Evidence programme on the second.
On the first day, Crowd Science, hosted by Caroline Steel, delved into one of Malawi’s and other African nations’ pressing issues: Malaria. With a focus on causes, prevention, treatment, and ongoing research, the episode featured local health specialists Aisha Kambewa, a vector biology PhD student, Dr. Steven Gowelo, an entomologist, and Dr. Wongani Nyangulu, an epidemiologist associated with the Malaria Alert Project. Notably, Kambewa highlighted the Shire Vec study in Chikwawa, exploring the relationship between irrigation farming and the spread of malaria and schistosomiasis.
On the subsequent day, The Evidence programme, hosted by Claudia Hammond, spotlighted maternal health uncertainties, underscoring preventable challenges faced by pregnant women and child health. The panelists included Dr. Linda Mipando, a midwife and Associate Professor of Health Systems and Policy at the University of Liverpool, Owen Chikhwaza, Deputy Director of Reproductive Health Services with the Ministry of Health, and Elimase Kamanga Gama, Executive Director of White Ribbon.
Discussions revealed prevalent issues in maternal health care, including distrust in healthcare systems leading to unsafe deliveries and abortions, compounded by fears of COVID-19 transmission in rural areas.
The session benefited from the insights of Senior Chief Kapeni of Blantyre, who emphasised the impact of inadequate infrastructure, particularly poor roads and transportation, on maternal mortality rates in communities and Blantyre.
The programmes are scheduled to air on BBC platforms, with Crowd Science airing on May 12th and The Evidence on May 4th.
Henry Mwandumba, Director of the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme, expressed gratitude to the BBC crew for the collaboration, citing its potential to amplify the institution’s work and acknowledging the honour of hosting such sessions.
