By Jones Gadama
Malawi’s Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, has emphasized the need for life-changing and cost-effective innovations in global surgery to address the country’s disease burden.
Speaking at the opening of the 4th International Congress on Innovations in Global Surgery (ICIGS) 2025 at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHES), Chiponda highlighted the plight of rural poor patients who are forced to wait for months or even years for simple surgeries.
“We have got many patients who are suffering while on waiting list for months and they feel forgotten, so we need to have solutions to treat them,” Chiponda said.
The minister stressed that urgent solutions are needed to treat patients with tumors and others who require minor or simple surgeries.
Dr. Alice Mbewe from Malawi Liverpool Welcome Research Programme and Congress Organizing Chairperson, Wakisa Mulwafu, echoed the minister’s sentiments, saying innovations in global surgery are about creating solutions that work, assisting to carry out safe surgeries and quality care.
The ICIGS 2025 congress brings together experts in the field of global surgery to share knowledge and experiences in addressing the surgical needs of low-income countries like Malawi.
According to Chiponda, the country’s health sector faces significant challenges in providing surgical care to its citizens, particularly in rural areas.
Malawi’s health minister has been at the forefront of efforts to strengthen the country’s health systems, particularly in the face of climate change.
Chiponda has emphasized the need for climate-resilient health systems that can withstand the impacts of climate-related disasters.
In a recent partnership, Seed Global Health and The Rockefeller Foundation announced a project to develop a streamlined, accessible, and affordable vulnerability and adaptation assessment (VAA) process for Malawi’s health sector.
This initiative aims to enhance the resilience of Malawi’s health systems to climate-related challenges.
The ICIGS 2025 congress is a timely platform for stakeholders to discuss innovative solutions to address Malawi’s surgical needs.
With a focus on cost-effective and life-changing innovations, the congress aims to find practical solutions to the country’s disease burden.
The event highlighted the need for innovative solutions to address the surgical needs of rural communities in Malawi, the importance of climate-resilient health systems, and the need for cost-effective innovations in global surgery.
The congress brought together experts and stakeholders to share knowledge and experiences in addressing surgical needs in low-income countries.
The 4th International Congress on Innovations in Global Surgery (ICIGS) 2025 marks a significant step towards finding innovative solutions to Malawi’s surgical needs.
With the country’s health minister emphasizing the need for urgent action, the congress provides a platform for stakeholders to work together towards improving surgical care in Malawi.
