Transforming Women’s Health Through Science, Action, and CollaborationTogether with communities, researchers, health care providers, and policymakers, WINGS-4-FGS is finding ways to effectively detect and treat the neglected disease Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) and giving women and girls the health and dignity they deserve.Discover Our Story
Transforming Women’s Health Through Science, Action, and CollaborationTogether with communities, researchers, health care providers, and policymakers, WINGS-4-FGS is finding ways to effectively detect and treat the neglected disease Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) and giving women and girls the health and dignity they deserve.Discover Our Story
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From Research Committees to National Health Leaders: WINGS-4-FGS Builds Momentum in Malawi

Efforts to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) in Malawi took an important step forward this March as researchers from Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), a partner in the WINGS-4-FGS project, engaged with key stakeholders through two significant meetings.

Representing WINGS-4-FGS, Dr Dingase Kumwenda and Dr Sekeleghe Kayuni introduced the project to district-level research leaders and national health stakeholders, helping to strengthen the foundations needed to advance FGS research and improve care for women and girls affected by this neglected disease.

Introducing WINGS-4-FGS to the Mangochi District Research Committee

On 12 March 2026, Dr Dingase Kumwenda, Study Gynaecologist for the WINGS-4-FGS project in Malawi, presented the project to the Mangochi District Research Committee.

The presentation provided an overview of WINGS-4-FGS, including the project's objectives and the range of activities planned across its work packages within the district. The meeting formed an important part of the project's preparations for implementation in Malawi, as it supported the process of obtaining an Institutional Letter of Support from the district. This document is required as part of the ethics clearance application process.

During the discussion, Dr Sekeleghe Kayuni, Research Scientist for the WINGS-4-FGS project in Malawi, contributed additional insights on the project's planned activities and their potential impact on women's health in Malawi.

Engagement with district-level stakeholders is a critical step in ensuring that research is aligned with local priorities and can be implemented effectively within communities. By working closely with local authorities and research committees, WINGS-4-FGS is building the partnerships needed to ensure that its research can deliver meaningful and sustainable benefits.

Contributing to National Discussions on FGS

Just two weeks later, on 26 March 2026, Dr Kayuni represented WINGS-4-FGS at an FGS Dissemination Meeting attended by health experts, researchers, policymakers, and government representatives. The event was attended by the Secretary for Health in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Dr Dan Namarika.

During the meeting, researchers presented findings from a recent FGS study conducted in Nkhota-Kota. The results highlighted the ongoing need for improved diagnosis, treatment, management, and prevention of FGS in Malawi.

Building on these findings, Dr Kayuni delivered a presentation on the current situation of FGS in Malawi and outlined the specific activities that WINGS-4-FGS will undertake in the country. His presentation demonstrated how the project is designed to address many of the challenges identified by recent research, including improving awareness of FGS, strengthening approaches to diagnosis, and generating evidence that can support better healthcare services for affected women and girls.

The dissemination meeting provided an important opportunity to connect ongoing research with policy discussions and public health priorities, helping to ensure that evidence can inform action.

Turning Research into Impact

Although different in focus, both meetings shared a common goal: creating the partnerships and momentum needed to improve the lives of women and girls affected by FGS.

At the district level, engagement with the Mangochi District Research Committee helped prepare the ground for project activities and strengthened local support for the research. At the national level, participation in the FGS Dissemination Meeting positioned WINGS-4-FGS within broader conversations about the future of FGS control and women's health in Malawi.

Through these engagements, WINGS-4-FGS continues to bring together researchers, healthcare professionals, communities, and policymakers to ensure that FGS receives the attention it deserves. By combining research, collaboration, and advocacy, the project is working towards a future where women and girls affected by FGS can access timely diagnosis, appropriate care, and the support they need to live healthy and dignified lives.