On Tuesday 9 August 2022, MLW, through the AMBISOME Therapy Induction OptimisatioN (AMBITION) study, organised training for nurses and clinical workers in Blantyre. The one-day training was designed to educate nurses and clinicians from district hospitals in the southern and central regions of Malawi on the diagnostic as well as management of cryptococcal meningitis patients.

Among other things, the workshop was utilised to share results for AMBISOME Therapy Induction OptimisatioN (AMBITION) study and the 2022 World Health Organisation guidelines for Cryptococcal Meningitis treatment.

One of the facilitators from MLW Dr. Melanie Moyo Alufandika said: “The training has instilled confidence and knowledge among participants to improve care in their areas of work. “

At the onset, MLW’s Interim Director Professor Henry Mwandumba appealed to all participants to share skills and knowledge gained during the training with colleagues in their respective work settings.

The training was patronised by 44 health workers from different district hospitals including Blantyre, Balaka, Chiradzulu, Dedza, and Mchinji.

Stanley Ngoma from the Ministry of Health’s Department of HIV and AIDS and Viral Hepatitis thanked MLW for investing in such an event and sustaining the cordial relationship with the ministry.

Ngoma specifically hailed MLW for the AMBITION study which he said has simplified cryptococcal meningitis management.

“The AMBITION study will largely help to iron out challenges we have been facing in tackling cryptococcal meningitis. This will provide guidance on policy formulation and implementation,” said Ngoma during the training.

The cryptococcal meningitis training comes 9 months after MLW disseminated findings of the AMBITION Study which established that a single high dose of Ambisome is effective and easier to manage cryptococcal meningitis.