Author Archives: Rose Wilson

BICO is conducting coverage surveys in eight Onchocerciasis-endemic districts: Blantyre, Mwanza, Mulanje, Phalombe, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Ntcheu, and Zomba, following Mass Drug Administration (MDA) conducted between October and December 2024. Initially, the program extended to Thyolo and Neno districts but has since stopped after recent study found that the presence of Onchocerciasis in these districts has dwindled. This activity is implemented by BICO to compare the results as presented by the MoH to what is actually on the ground. The Survey will seek to address the Ivermectin geographical and therapeutic coverages and their associated reasons including the MDA method used, protocol adherence and side effects recorded.  

BICO, through the Mainstream-WHO project held a contract signing ceremony with 3 PI teams. This ceremony marks the beginning of team-based activities through this project. Prof Khumbo Kalua chaired the meeting and Ms. Jane Dzoole who presented Dr. Mike Chisema was the guest of honor. 

Blantyre Institute for Community Outreach (BICO) serves as the mentor institute for the WHO-Alliance Mainstream Project in Implementation Science. Currently, BICO is hosting a Protocol Development Workshop in Mangochi, bringing together three selected research teams to refine their proposals in preparation for the project rollout. The workshop is focused on equipping participants with a deeper understanding of key concepts, including implementation science in immunization, situation analysis of immunization in Malawi, and research design methodologies. These research teams are benefiting from the guidance of esteemed experts such as Dr. Mitch Matoga, Dr. Donnie Mategula, Ms. Jane Dzoole, Dr. Vincent Jumbe, Dr. Blessings Kaunda, Dr. Wanangwa Manda, Dr. Effie Chipeta, and Mr. Gabriel Maliwata. Their mentorship is integral in shaping the teams' capacity to address critical challenges and implement evidence-based strategies in…

On December 6, 2024, Blantyre Institute for Community Outreach (BICO) donated stethoscopes to 52 medical students at Kamuzu University of Health and Sciences (KUHEs) who were transitioning to their clinical years of study. The donation was a response to a shortage of essential medical equipment, particularly stethoscopes, which was hindering the students’ practical training. The ceremony, attended by students, faculty, and the head of the department, celebrated BICO’s generous support, especially for students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. [video width="640" height="360" mp4="https://bicomalawi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/VID-20241220-WA0006.mp4"][/video] [video width="640" height="360" mp4="https://bicomalawi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/VID-20241220-WA0007.mp4"][/video]

A group of eye specialists are conducting cataract surgeries at Zomba Central hospital.

As part of the World Sight Day celebrations, BICO visited several schools in Blantyre to raise awareness among children about the importance of eye health and how to care for their eyes. A dedicated team of optometrists led interactive sessions, teaching learners simple practices for maintaining good eye health. Students who required eye screenings were referred to BICO clinics for free eye tests. Additionally, BICO is offering a special promotion: children aged 6-17 years needing eye glasses will receive a 50% discount, while adults aged 18 and above will receive a 30% discount on their total charges. This promotion runs from September until October 12, 2024.

In celebration of the 2024 World Sight Day theme, "Love Your Eyes Kids," BICO conducted eye surgeries for children with various eye conditions requiring surgical intervention. These surgeries were carried out during the week starting on September 16, 2024.

  In 2023, BICO has been supporting refresher trainings conducted by Ophthalmogists from Zomba, Nkhoma and Mzuzu hospitals. This was done after discovering that cataract surgeons have been practicing without being supervised by zonal Ophthalmologists and that almost all did not attend refresher trainings as part of continued medical education. 

 World Sight Day is celebrated every year on the second Thursday of October. This was established by the International Association for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) to raise awareness on blindness and visual impairments. 2023’s World Sight day was celebrated on October 12th under the theme “LOVE YOUR EYES AT WORK. BICO participated in the act by visiting different institutions and organizations to offer free eye checkup.