Malawi operationalises WHO guidance on Integrated Post-Validation Surveillance for NTDs

Lilongwe (Malawi) — The Ministry of Health Malawi is convening a four-day technical workshop to operationalise the World Health Organization guidance on Integrated Post-Validation Surveillance (PVS) for Neglected Tropical Diseases. The workshop brings together national programme staff from the NTD Programme, the Surveillance Directorate, the HMIS/DHIS2 Unit, Laboratory Services, disease-specific focal points, and partners.

Malawi has been WHO-validated for the elimination of three NTDs as public health problems: lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, and leprosy. Sustaining these achievements requires a structured, country-owned surveillance function capable of detecting recrudescence and re-introduction early, verifying signals, triggering proportionate responses, and reporting transparently to WHO.

The workshop will deliver five concrete outputs by close of Day 4: 

• an assessment of national surveillance platforms suitable for PVS integration;
• a draft integrated PVS framework aligned with the IDSR and DHIS2 architecture;
• a preliminary community engagement strategy;
• documentation of domestic resource mobilisation considerations; and
• the formal establishment of a national Integrated PVS Steering Group with validated Terms of Reference.

The activity is funded by the Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE) and benefits from technical support provided by WHO/ESPEN. The integrated approach embeds NTD surveillance within Malawi's existing national health system platforms rather than creating parallel structures, in line with WHO guidance and national health system priorities.

For further information, please contact the WHO Malawi Country & WHO/ESPEN