Malawi Launches Major Bilharzia Drug Campaign!

Reported by Mustapha Omolabake Omowumi, Managing Editor | Sele Media Malawi.

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation has announced a nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign aimed at combating bilharzia and intestinal worms, with more than 1.1 million people expected to benefit from the public health intervention across five districts in Malawi.

The campaign, scheduled to run from May 18 to May 22, 2026, will target communities in Blantyre, Lilongwe, Dowa, Nsanje, and Phalombe districts, areas identified as highly affected by bilharzia and soil-transmitted intestinal worm infections. Health authorities say the initiative forms part of Malawi’s broader strategy to reduce neglected tropical diseases that continue to affect vulnerable populations, particularly school-going children and communities living near water bodies.

In a statement signed by Secretary for Health and Sanitation Dr. Dan Namarika, the ministry emphasized that the campaign will be implemented through both community-based and school-based approaches to ensure wide coverage and maximum participation.

According to the ministry, untreated bilharzia and intestinal worms remain significant public health concerns in Malawi, contributing to chronic illness, malnutrition, poor educational performance among children, and reduced productivity in adults.

“The exercise seeks to eliminate bilharzia and intestinal worms which continue to pose serious public health challenges if left untreated,” Dr. Namarika said in the statement.

The ministry further disclosed that community health workers are expected to conduct a registration exercise between May 11 and May 15 to identify eligible beneficiaries before the official distribution of medication begins next week.

Health officials have also advised citizens to ensure they eat before taking Praziquantel, the drug commonly used to treat bilharzia, noting that the medicine is more effective and better tolerated when administered after meals.

A Persistent Public Health Threat

Bilharzia, medically known as schistosomiasis, is a parasitic disease caused by worms that live in contaminated freshwater sources such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and irrigation canals. People become infected when they come into contact with water infested with the parasites, which penetrate the skin and develop inside the body.

The disease remains common in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, including Malawi, where communities depend heavily on freshwater sources for fishing, farming, bathing, and domestic use.

Intestinal worms, commonly referred to as soil-transmitted helminths, are also widespread in areas with limited sanitation and poor hygiene conditions. The infections are especially dangerous for children, often leading to anemia, stunted growth, fatigue, and learning difficulties.

Public health experts have consistently warned that failure to control these diseases could continue placing pressure on Malawi’s healthcare system while affecting educational attainment and economic productivity in vulnerable communities.

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation says the current MDA campaign is designed to interrupt transmission rates while reducing the disease burden among high-risk populations.

Officials believe combining school-based and community outreach strategies will help reach both children and adults who may otherwise lack access to routine medical services.

Focus on High-Risk Districts

The selection of Blantyre, Lilongwe, Dowa, Nsanje, and Phalombe reflects ongoing epidemiological concerns in districts where cases remain prevalent due to environmental and socio-economic conditions.

In districts such as Nsanje and Phalombe, repeated flooding and dependence on open water sources have historically increased the risk of waterborne and parasitic infections. Similarly, urban and peri-urban communities in Blantyre and Lilongwe continue to face sanitation challenges in densely populated settlements.

Health authorities say regular deworming campaigns and public awareness initiatives remain critical to preventing the spread of infections.

The ministry has called on traditional leaders, parents, teachers, religious institutions, and community organizations to support the exercise by encouraging participation and combating misinformation surrounding the drugs used during the campaign.

Importance of Community Health Workers

Community health workers are expected to play a central role in the implementation of the campaign. Beyond conducting household registration exercises, the workers will also provide public education on prevention measures, dosage requirements, and possible mild side effects associated with treatment.

Health experts note that public trust in local healthcare workers often improves participation rates in mass drug administration exercises, especially in rural communities where access to formal healthcare facilities may be limited.

The registration process currently underway is intended to ensure accurate population targeting while enabling health authorities to estimate drug quantities required for each district.

Officials say households are encouraged to cooperate fully with registration teams to guarantee smooth implementation during the five-day campaign period.

Why Eating Before Treatment Matters

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation has placed special emphasis on the importance of eating before taking Praziquantel.

Medical experts explain that the drug can sometimes cause dizziness, nausea, stomach discomfort, or fatigue when taken on an empty stomach. Consuming food beforehand helps improve absorption while minimizing side effects.

The ministry’s advisory comes amid ongoing efforts to increase public confidence in mass treatment exercises, particularly in communities where misconceptions about medication occasionally affect participation.

Parents and guardians are being encouraged to ensure children receive meals before taking the medication during school-based distributions.

Malawi’s Wider Fight Against Neglected Tropical Diseases

Malawi has over the years intensified efforts to combat neglected tropical diseases through partnerships with international health organizations, development agencies, and local health institutions.

Mass Drug Administration campaigns have become one of the country’s key strategies for controlling diseases such as bilharzia, lymphatic filariasis, and intestinal worm infections.

According to global health agencies, preventive chemotherapy through periodic mass treatment remains one of the most cost-effective public health interventions for controlling parasitic diseases in endemic countries.

The World Health Organization has repeatedly identified schistosomiasis as a major health challenge affecting millions across Africa, particularly children living in poor rural communities.

Malawi’s health authorities say continued investment in sanitation, clean water access, and health education will remain essential to achieving long-term disease elimination goals.

Experts also stress that medication alone cannot fully eradicate bilharzia without broader improvements in hygiene infrastructure, access to safe water, and environmental management.

Schools at the Center of Prevention Efforts

Schools are expected to serve as key distribution points during the campaign, reflecting the disproportionate impact of bilharzia and intestinal worms on children.

Teachers and school administrators have been urged to cooperate with healthcare teams to facilitate efficient drug distribution and health education activities.

Education specialists note that untreated parasitic infections can significantly undermine classroom performance by contributing to absenteeism, poor concentration, and fatigue.

By integrating deworming efforts into schools, authorities aim to protect children’s health while improving educational outcomes in affected communities.

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation says awareness messages will continue before and during the campaign to ensure parents understand the benefits of participation.

Regional and Global Context

Malawi’s campaign aligns with broader regional efforts across Africa to reduce the burden of neglected tropical diseases through preventive treatment and public health surveillance.

Countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Mozambique have implemented similar deworming and bilharzia control programs in recent years, often supported by international donors and public health partners.

Global health organizations continue to advocate for expanded treatment coverage as part of efforts to meet international disease elimination targets.

Public health researchers argue that sustained political commitment, adequate financing, and strong community engagement are essential to maintaining progress against parasitic infections.

Public Response and Expectations

The announcement of the campaign has generally been welcomed by healthcare stakeholders and community leaders, many of whom view the initiative as timely given persistent infection rates in several districts.

Some public health advocates, however, have urged the government to complement treatment campaigns with long-term investments in sanitation infrastructure, especially in flood-prone and underserved rural communities.

Analysts also stress the importance of continued monitoring and data collection to assess the effectiveness of the intervention and identify areas requiring additional support.

As Malawi prepares for the five-day exercise, authorities remain optimistic that strong public participation will contribute significantly to reducing the burden of bilharzia and intestinal worm infections across affected districts.

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation has since urged all eligible citizens in the targeted areas to participate fully in the campaign and follow health guidance issued by trained personnel.

With more than one million people expected to receive treatment, the initiative represents one of Malawi’s significant preventive healthcare operations in 2026 and underscores the country’s continued commitment to combating preventable diseases through coordinated public health action.

Sources
Ministry of Health and Sanitation Malawi

World Health Organization (WHO) – Schistosomiasis Fact Sheet

UNICEF Malawi

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Parasites and Schistosomiasis

Reuters Health News

BBC News Africa