MUBAS' WASHTED Centre embarks on a research journey with University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame’s team visit from 14th July to 6th August 2025, marks the commencement of the WASH, Poverty and Health study in Blantyre, Malawi; bringing together a team of researchers from the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences- MUBAS (through WASHTED Centre) and the University of Notre Dame, USA. The study aims to understand the nexus: poverty, poor health, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). The two years project is funded by the Poverty Initiative and will be carried out three phases. This is an exciting partnership, creating opportunities towards finding practical, evidence-based and context specific solutions for improving health and well-being in Malawi’s urban communities.
Investigating Drinking Water Safety in Early Childhood Development Centres
We're continuing our vital work within the RGHI Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDC) project in Blantyre, probing deeper into the state of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in ECDCs. Our latest research revisited the 30 ECDCs from our formative study, with a specific focus on understanding drinking water practices and potential contamination pathways.
To achieve this, our team conducted a comprehensive environmental sampling process.
This approach helped us pinpoint microbial pathways associated with drinking water in the ECDC setting. The insights gained will be crucial for the next phase of our project: intervention planning.
This important work is being done in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and University of Strathclyde.
Stay tuned for updates as we work towards safer environment for young children!
Data Collection on WASH and Adolescent Mental Health
Our team at WASHTED Centre, under the NIHR Project, recently concluded data collection for a study assessing the effects of WASH conditions on adolescent mental health in public primary schools across Blantyre and Mchinji districts.
Through surveys, observations, FGDs, and KIIs, we engaged with over 800 learners to understand how school WASH facilities impact well-being. This work aims to inform adolescent-responsive WASH interventions that support both physical and mental health.
We’re grateful to all schools and partners who made this possible.
Celebrating 20+ years of WASHTED!!!
On the 13th of June 2025, the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) came alive with innovation, collaboration, and celebration during the School of Science and Technology Exhibition Day. Held under the theme "Celebrating 20 Years of WASHTED: Strengthening Partnerships Across the School of Science and Technology," the event marked two decades of impactful research, service, and academic excellence driven by the WASHTED Centre.
The day-long exhibition, hosted at the MUBAS ODeL Auditorium, showcased research and service delivery across key departments in the School of Science and Technology.
Key speakers at the event include: The MUBAS vice chancellor Dr. Nancy Chitera, the Principal secretary in the ministry of education the dean of students and the WASHTED centre manager
Attendees, including students, researchers, school and departmental representatives, partners, and online participants. Exhibition booths displaying prototypes, scientific posters were toured by the attendees. The event served as a hub for knowledge exchange and a launchpad for future collaborations.
As MUBAS continues to evolve as a hub of applied sciences and innovation, events like the Exhibition Day serve as reminders of the critical role academia plays in addressing real-world challenges through research, education, and partnership.
WASHTED at the National Health Promotion Conference
We were honoured to participate in the inaugural National Health Promotion Conference, hosted by the Ministry of Health from 28–29 May 2025.
Our involvement began behind the scenes, with several team members Taonga M. Kumwenda, Mindy Panulo, Monica Nzanga, Rossaine D. Malolo, and Kondwani Luwe , contributing to the review of submitted abstracts.
On the conference floor, Kondwani Luwe delivered a verbal presentation on behalf of WASHTED, sharing insights from our ongoing project on Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDCs). His presentation, titled: "WASH in Early Childhood Development Centres: Compliance, Practices, and Barriers in Malawi," highlighted key findings on ECDC management and governance; gaps in WASH infrastructure versus national ECD standards and hygiene behaviours and their underlying determinants.
He concluded by emphasizing the need to integrate theory-driven hygiene interventions with infrastructure improvements into routine operations to enhance child health and development.
National Institute of Healthcare Research (NIHR) 3rd Steering Group Meeting
On May 21, 2025, the NIHR-funded Global Health Research Group (GHRG) Steering Group Meeting was held at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre, bringing together partners focused on improving adolescent health and wellbeing in Malawi. The meeting was co-chaired by Judith Msusa from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Dr. Henry Phiri from the Ministry of Health’s Reproductive Health Directorate.
The session involved a sharing of research findings, followed by questions and comments from participants, creating valuable dialogue and reflection.
Team members from MUBAS WASHTED, the KUHES Centre for Reproductive Health, and the University of Strathclyde contributed to a rich exchange of ideas.
For WASHTED, the meeting reinforced its commitment to linking WASH and adolescent well-being and to working together toward practical solutions.
Kick-starting a Research Project Towards Strengthening Guardian Waiting Shelters in Malawi's Health Systems
On 16 May 2025, key stakeholders from across Malawi gathered in Mangochi for the launch of the nationwide GWS study, led by MUBAS through the WASHTED Centre, in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde and LSHTM. Hosted at Mogfords Lake Resort, the event brought together representatives from government ministries, district councils, NGOs, and civil society.
The study aims to co-develop hygiene guidelines and integrate GWS into national healthcare WASH standards. Attendees reviewed research tools, shaped the Terms of Reference for the GWS Technical Team, and explored findings from earlier RGHI-funded research revealing major infrastructure and service gaps in Southern Malawi’s shelters.
With strong engagement, this initiative marks an important step toward improving hygiene and reducing disease risks in healthcare settings and surrounding communities.
WASHTED-FROM Likuni Phala Distribution Program
WASHTED in collaboration with a Scottish based charity organization - Famine Relief for Orphans in Malawi (FROM) supports children in Chikwawa, Mangochi and Blantyre districts. Specifically, FROM provides Likuni Phala to Community Based Care Centres (CBCC) in Blantyre, Mangochi and Chikwawa Districts while WASHTED provides logistical support for distribution of the food items. A total of 4 CBCCs and one handcuff center reaching out to approximately 500 children with Likuni phala on monthly basis. In the past three months, 60 Likuni Phala 25kgs bags have been distributed in all centers.
This e-mail has been sent by the Centre for Water, Sanitation, Health and Appropriate Technology Development (WASHTED) at the, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), Chichiri, Blantyre,, Malawi, +2651 870 411
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