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Cholera Pandemic Preparedness Project Phalombe District, Malawi: Holsinger Pathfinder Fellowship

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Elimination of NTDs

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Ebola in West Africa

Background on the Cholera Pandemic Preparedness Project

The Cholera Project was developed from a specialized program conducted by New York University, focusing on Behavioral Communications Strategies for Global Epidemics (BCSE). This program is designed to explore the role of communication in managing and mitigating the effects of global health crises. Drawing on the latest research in behavioral science, the project aims to translate these strategies into actionable plans for epidemic preparedness. This three-phased initiative will focus on developing and implementing BSCE for Cholera, COVID-19, and Mpox.

Funded by The Holsinger Pathfinder Fellowship, the project is a significant step toward improving public health responses in vulnerable communities. The fellowship, known for supporting innovative approaches to global health challenges, has provided the necessary resources to implement these strategies on the ground, starting with Cholera as a primary focus in Malawi. The Pathfinder Fellow leading the Cholera Project is Lawrence Odala Mfutsto, who is the Monitoring and Evaluation Lead on The Access Challenge’s Malawi team. 

The project is being carried out in Phalombe district, which is affected by multiple epidemics, with seasonal Cholera taking center stage. In partnership with the Phalombe Ministry of Health and New York University School of Global Public Health, the project launched on September 2nd, 2024. The project will be executed in three phases, with each phase lasting two months. 

 

Goals

The overarching goal of the project is to enhance epidemic preparedness by building a robust foundation of knowledge and practices that can be applied to current and future pandemics. The  focus is on three major health threats: Cholera, COVID-19, and Mpox. Each of these diseases presents unique challenges, and the project seeks to address them through targeted communication strategies that influence behavior and promote public health.

Cholera: The project aims to curb the spread of Cholera by improving public awareness and understanding of hygiene practices, water treatment, and early detection of symptoms. By fostering community engagement and education, the project hopes to reduce the incidence of Cholera outbreaks in high-risk areas of Phalombe district.

COVID-19: Building on lessons learned during the One by One Vaccination Campaign (which ran in Phalombe district from May 2024 to August 2024), the project will continue to promote vaccination and handwashing as a preventive measure through clear and effective messaging. The goal is to maintain vigilance against new variants and ensure communities are prepared for future waves.

MPox: As an emerging public health threat for Phalombe district and across Malawi, Mpox requires immediate attention. The project will focus on educating communities about the risks associated with Mpox, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and detection and preventive measures.

 

By integrating these strategies into the existing public health infrastructure, the project aims to build resilient communities that are better equipped to handle the uncertainties of future pandemics.