UNC Project Malawi

13/05/2026

Lilongwe and Blantyre Frisbee teams competed at Bishop Mackenzie International High School over the weekend.

Lilongwe won the first warm-up game, but Blantyre ultimately won the main event and the weekend overall.

Calling on all Frisbee enthusiasts to join the movement!

13/05/2026

The 20th edition of the INTEREST conference, focusing on HIV treatment, pathogenesis, and prevention research is currently underway in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

This year's event celebrates two decades of advancing global HIV science and collaboration, bringing together researchers, clinicians, and public health experts to share the latest advancements in HIV treatment, pathogenesis, and prevention.

Representing the project are Dr. Mitch Matoga, Dr. Maganizo Chagomerana, Mr. Wiza Kumwenda, Dr. Friday Saidi, and his mentees: Dr. Gladwell Masiye, Dr. Rabecca Nchocholo, Dr. Charity Nakanga and Mrs. Rehema Simika-Zimba,

During session 3 Dr. Mitch Matoga (Director of STI Research and Clinical Services) highlighted the persistent burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sharing these key facts with the INTEREST audience:

1. STIs are among the oldest known infections, with evidence dating back to 2600 BC.
2. STIs have persisted, often overshadowed by HIV.
3. The STI burden remains substantial.
4. STIs are increasing globally, including in Africa.

The conference will come to a close on the 15th May 2026, the team will be involved more activities and updates will follow.

12/05/2026

To commemorate World Nurses Day, UNC project Nurses represented the nursing team at the national event held at Nsanje Youth Centre.

The Minister of Health and Sanitation, Madalitso Baloyi, and her deputy, Charles Chilambula, attended the event which started off with a big walk from Nsanje prison to Nsanje Youth Center.

Our very own nurse Sweamer Kasunda Tambala was awarded the "Best Nurse" award for UNC Project in recognition of all the hard work and dedication she puts into her work.

The event also provided an opportunity for nurses from different organizations and regions to network and share experiences.

The UNC project team was proud to be part of this celebration and looks forward to continuing to support nurses in Malawi.

12/05/2026

11/05/2026

A5409: A Phase 2 Randomized, Adaptive, Dose-Ranging, Open-Label Trial of Novel Regimens for the Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (RAD-TB) The standard of care (SOC) treatment of tuberculosis (TB) was developed over 40 years ago, and the treatment is long (6 months) and hard. In many settings, the medicine does not work well because people stop taking it or miss doses, which leads to TB returning. For some people, the SOC treatment can cause negative side effects.



This study will evaluate new medication regimens for the treatment of TB. This study is adaptive, which means, as new medication regimens are identified for the treatment of TB, some of them will be selected for testing in this study. Therefore, there may be different drug regimens being used as part of the study at different times.

10/05/2026

Chapel Hill, NC – Less than half of people with HIV in the U.S. stay consistently connected to outpatient HIV care—a gap that limits access to lifesaving medications and increases the risk of HIV transmission. Hospitalizations are especially common among people who are already disconnected from ...

04/05/2026

03/05/2026

01/05/2026

The North Carolina National guard team met with UNC project management and team members during their recent visit to Malawi as a part of the State partnership between North Carolina and the government of Malawi. During the visit the team was taken on a tour of the research site to appreciate the laboratories at the UNC Annex, and Tidziwe center.
https://www.africom.mil/article/35486/north-carolina-national-guard-welcomes-malawi-as-their-new-state-partners
The UNC Project team is looking forward to ways to collaborate and enhance this partnership. This visit, the National Guard team lent a hand by bringing necessary supplies to the project.