On Monday September 12, 2022, Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme premises turned into a hive of attraction as the research organisation began the second week of 25th anniversary celebrations.

The week started with a walkathon (a long-distance walk organised to raise awareness) that caught the attention of many people around the Ginnery Corner side of Blantyre.

The walk was organised to celebrate and inform the public of MLW’s success in research over the past 25 years. The walkers (mostly MLW staff) donned MLW branded attire, carried placards with different messages, thus setting the tone for the celebration.

Speaking after the walkathon, MLW’s Interim Director Professor Henry Mwandumba said the past 25 years have been productive because the organisation has improved health and trained the next generation of scientists and leaders.

“We are doing research that informs a lot of health policies within and outside of Malawi. The Government of Malawi is putting into practice some of our work to improve the health of the nation. We look forward to working with the government, local and international partners as we continue conducting research and training the next generation of scientists and leaders,” said Mwandumba.

Mwandumba said MLW will extend its focus to include other areas posing challenges on health such as climate change.

Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) Vice Chancellor Professor Macpherson Mallewa said the partnership between MLW and KUHeS has tremendously contributed to the nation.

“We have a research agenda that speaks to the National Health Research Agenda, and all along the MLW research has spoken to KUHeS research agenda going we will carry on together doing research, we will carry on together training future scientists, doctors, and nurses for the benefit of the country,” said Professor Mallewa.

The Director of Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Professor David Lalloo said MLW has been a fantastic partner among its partners in Malawi and the United Kingdom.

Lalloo said he is hoping for MLW’s massive growth of research capacity to conduct high quality research in Malawi and Africa to make a big difference in the region.

Professor in Infectious Diseases and Global Health at the University of Liverpool Neil French who visited MLW during the Anniversary said: “It is a privilege to be here to see the fantastic growth of the organisation and how it has truly converged into a fully-fledged and strong research institute.”