By Wendi Mkandawire
The Ministry of Health says it will work with airport management to ensure all travelers are screened to protect Malawians from diseases including Ebola.
Speaking during a tour of the Ebola screening exercise at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe on Monday, 15 April 2026, Minister of Health Madalitso Baloyi said the ministry is ready and prepared to respond to any emergency that may affect Malawi, including Ebola and cholera.
She noted that screening has been strengthened for all normal entries used by travellers arriving from other countries.
However, she identified gaps at the VIP section, where some individuals were entering the country without being screened.
“As a country we are ready and resilient, every person who comes into the country, regardless of status, should be screened so that we protect Malawi,” she added.
World Health Organization Country Representative Dr. Charles Njunguna said WHO has supported Malawi’s readiness assessment in areas such as case management, surveillance, laboratory systems, community engagement, and medical supplies for Ebola response.
“The most important thing is to ensure we have a very good surveillance system that is able to detect any suspicious case that enters the country,” he explained.
Njunguna also presented Ebola VHF kits and Cholera specialized equipment worth K127 million, saying it will help safe identification, isolation and management of suspected cases .
He further said that these suppliers will also support Malawi’s preparedness and response to other outbreaks by strengthening infection prevention and control measures in health facilities, laboratories and point of entry.
Zione Themba Chief Executive Officer for the Airport said that measures are in place so that all passengers do not come into contact with workers before screening.
