Non-Communicable Diseases Now Killing 4 in 10 Malawians, Shocking WHO Report Reveals

**New WHO Report Finds Non-Communicable Diseases Account for 40% of Deaths in Malawi**

A 2025 report from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that non-communicable diseases (NCDs)—including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases—now account for approximately 40% of all deaths in Malawi.

In response to these findings, the NCD Alliance Malawi (NCDAMW) has called for increased political leadership, funding, and community-level action. The organization is participating in the 2026 Global Week for Action on NCDs, which runs from August 31 to September 4 under the theme “Leadership in Focus: From Commitments to Delivery.”

Maud Mwakasungula, National Chairperson of NCDAMW, stated that the rise in NCDs is driven by factors such as tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity. While acknowledging that many of these conditions are preventable and treatable, Mwakasungula emphasized that the current burden on the national economy and the healthcare system remains significant.

“While we commend progress, the reality is that too many Malawians are still dying early from conditions that are largely preventable and treatable,” Mwakasungula said.

The NCD Alliance Malawi noted progress in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation’s efforts to decentralize care. The Package of Essential Non-communicable Disease Interventions (PEN) has been integrated into 300 primary healthcare centers nationwide. Additionally, 15 “PEN-Plus” clinics have been established at district and referral hospitals to manage complex NCD cases. According to the alliance, Malawi is currently among the leading countries in the WHO African Region regarding the implementation of the PEN-Plus model.

Despite these developments, the alliance warned that these gains could be compromised if services are not adequately resourced, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Mwakasungula also advocated for the inclusion of patients in the development and monitoring of health policies.

To mark the Global Week for Action, NCDAMW, in partnership with Partners In Health (PIH) and with support from the World Diabetes Foundation, will host an event at Kabudula Primary School in Lilongwe on September 2, 2026. The event will provide free NCD screenings and health education. During the event, stakeholders are expected to sign the “Malawi GW4A NCD Charter 2026,” which outlines priority actions to be presented to the Parliamentary Committee on Health to encourage greater accountability and political commitment.

Article and image source: allafrica.com