Blessings Msango Kapumba

Experience

Social science and health systems research

Research interests

Global Health Bioethics Network

Disease areas

• COVID-19
• Enteric diseases
• HIV
• Influenza
• Malaria
• Maternal Health
• Other
• Respiratory Diseases
• TB

Clinical research in NCDs Community engagement and involvement

Other information

Mission

We conduct internationally excellent science to benefit human health with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. MLW is built around excellent laboratories, strategically located in the largest hospital in Malawi, closely linked with the community and an integral part of the medical school. These relationships provide a unique opportunity replicated in few centres in Africa to study major health issues spanning both community and hospital.

Scientific Strategy

We have two major well- established Programmes with clearly de-fined aims for the next 10 years, built on excellent achievements to date. These Programmes are: (1) Preventing death from severe infection, and (2) Transmission reduction in infectious diseases. The Programmes have Specific Objectives and Key Deliverables from 2018 – 2022. In addition, we have a Strategic Initiative to target selected high burden chronic diseases (lung impairment, stroke, blindness), particularly related to HIV. In partnership with the College of Medicine we have Training Aims to attract, train and retain local and international senior scientists. Through our partnership with the Ministry of Health, our Policy Aims ensure that our research is both relevant and applied to improve human health.

Governance

MLW is an affiliate of the College of Medicine (CoM). Its operations are governed by a Memorandum of Understanding between CoM, LSTM, UoL and the Wellcome Trust which was signed in 2011. This legal status is defined in this MoU which also defines the aims of MLW; the oversight by the Executive Committee; the Independent Scientific Advisory Board; the appointment of the Director and the Associate Director; and on general operations of MLW.