A new study has found that a growing number of people in Malawi are living with more than one chronic disease.
A chronic disease is a long term illness that develops slowly and lasts for many months or years, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, or asthma. It does not go away quickly and usually requires ongoing care and treatment.
The research, called Multilink, was carried out by the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and Chiladzulu District Hospital.
It focused on patients admitted with acute illnesses, such as malaria, and discovered that many of them were also living with two or more long-term conditions, a situation known as multimorbidity.
The study, conducted over 90 days in Malawi and Tanzania, monitored patients even after they were discharged from the hospital.
According to Dr. Felix Limbani, one of the lead investigators, almost 47 out of every 100 patients visiting public hospitals for acute illnesses were found to have chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, TB, or cancer.
He added that within three months of diagnosis, about 40 percent of those with one or more chronic diseases did not survive.
“To put it simply, almost half of patients in our hospitals have one or two chronic diseases,” Dr. Limbani said.
Another lead investigator, Dr. Steve Kateta, explained that the study involved 700 patients 400 from Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and 300 from Chiladzulu District Hospital.
Out of these, 180 had no chronic disease, while 319 had multiple chronic illnesses, many of whom died within three months while admitted.
“This shows that many patients admitted for acute conditions are also battling serious chronic diseases, which is very worrying,” Dr. Kateta said.
He further noted that half of the patients studied had one or more chronic conditions, meaning they might have diabetes, high blood pressure, or both.
While the study did not look into the causes of these diseases, the World Health Organization notes that chronic, or non-communicable diseases, are often caused by unhealthy diets, lack of exercise, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption.
Eating too much sugar, salt, or fat, being sedentary, smoking, or drinking heavily can all increase the risk of serious illness.
Health expert Benjamin Chinoko said the findings should be a wake-up call for authorities to find new ways to diagnose and treat chronic diseases in the country.
He suggested that public hospitals should have equipment to test for all chronic conditions and employ specialized doctors to treat patients effectively.
Another expert, Dr Dorothy Ngoma, called for massive public awareness campaigns to educate people about the dangers of chronic diseases and how to live healthier lifestyles.
She noted that many Malawians live carelessly when it comes to diet and lifestyle, making education crucial.
Chikhulupilo Ng’ombe, Executive Director of Cancer Survivors’ Quest, expressed concern about the shortage of medicines for chronic diseases such as cancer in hospitals.
He said some patients are dying quickly due to lack of treatment but urged people to seek testing and care early. Efforts to get comments from authorities were unsuccessful.
However, a statement from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, signed by Dr. Dan Namaleka, Principal Secretary, said the ministry is committed to expanding screening and diagnostic services, strengthening chronic disease care at central and district hospitals, integrating non-communicable diseases into primary healthcare, and ensuring sustainable financing.
Researchers say many chronic diseases can be prevented through simple, everyday choices. They point out that what people eat plays a major role.
A diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and less salty, sugary, or fatty foods helps lower the risk of long-term illnesses like high blood pressure and diabetes.
One example often highlighted is the Global Burden of Disease Study, a long-running international research project that tracks the causes of illness and death worldwide. Its findings show that poor diet, tobacco use, and lack of physical activity are among the biggest drivers of chronic diseases across all regions.
The study and others like it show that even small lifestyle changes make a difference. Regular physical activity, such as walking for at least 30 minutes a day, strengthens the heart and helps keep blood sugar levels stable.
Researchers also link cleaner environments to better long-term health. Cleaner air, safer water, and good sanitation help reduce chronic respiratory and other lasting health problems. Managing stress supports the body as well, since long periods of strain can weaken immune and hormonal systems.