Lancet highlights Malawi’s push on paediatric NCDs — EKC-backed “Umoyo wa ana athu” supports national rollout

A correspondence in The Lancet (14 Feb 2026) underscores the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among children in Malawi, noting that disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 0–14-year-olds nearly doubled between 2000 and 2021, mentions EKC

A correspondence in The Lancet (14 Feb 2026) underscores the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among children in Malawi, noting that disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 0–14-year-olds nearly doubled between 2000 and 2021. 

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Within this context, the Umoyo wa ana athu (Our Children’s Health) initiative—developed by the Paediatrics and Child Health Association in Malawi together with the Global Child Health Group at Universität Witten/Herdecke under the Else Kröner Center for Global Child Health (EKC-GCH)—is working with Malawi’s Ministry of Health and KUHeS to support national clinical guidelines, training (train-the-trainer), and a mobile decision-support app (“NCD Paeds MW”)

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Implementation is described across 16 sites spanning the health system (central hospitals, district hospitals, and health centres), complemented by information and awareness materials. 

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The authors also state that the activities were supported by the Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation

Malawi's strategy on childhood non-communicable diseases - The Lancet