INTER-LINKED: Integrating Health Services to Address HIV, TB, Non-Communicable Diseases and Women’s Cancers in Malawi

Malawi faces multiple health challenges, including a high burden of infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and women’s cancers. In 2023, approximately 992,000 people were living with HIV (prevalence rate of 4.7%), with about 14,000 new infections each year. HIV/AIDS remains a public health emergency, while the growing prevalence of NCDs—such as hypertension (32.9% of adults) and diabetes (6%)—increases health risks for people living with HIV. In addition, Malawi has the highest cervical cancer mortality rate in the world (51.5 deaths per 100,000 women).

The national health system is affected by severe shortages: only 0.4 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants, limited financial resources, inadequate infrastructure, and a wide gap between urban and rural areas. In more remote regions, access to healthcare services is hindered by long distances, shortages of staff and equipment. The lack of up-to-date data on HIV, NCDs and women’s cancers further complicates health planning and response.

The INTER-LINKED project has a three-year duration and aims to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal of “ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.”
The project’s specific objective is to strengthen Malawi’s health system in its response to infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases and women’s cancers, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable segments of the population.

The project aims to achieve two expected results:

• strengthening diagnostic services for HIV and co-infections;

• expanding the coverage of integrated health services for HIV and comorbidities, improving access to care and the quality of treatment for local communities.

Activities will primarily target people living with HIV, who are at higher risk of co-infections and comorbidities, as well as vulnerable groups such as adolescent girls, young women and pregnant women, while also promoting the involvement of men.

The INTER-LINKED project integrates clinical, diagnostic, prevention, awareness-raising and psychosocial support activities. The data collected will be used for operational research on disease prevalence and on the effectiveness of an integrated model of care. The approach aims to strengthen access to services, enhance the capacities of local healthcare personnel and optimise the use of available resources in the target districts.

Funding

Funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).