Malawi Launches Major Initiative to Combat Esophageal Cancer

Malawi has embarked on a new phase in its fight against esophageal cancer, hosting a high-level delegation of medical and advocacy experts in April. The initiative, described by experts as more than a single intervention, marks the beginning of a new era in the country’s cancer response.

The delegation, which included Malawi’s Ambassador to the United States Judge Esme Chombo, Mayo Clinic Emeritus Professor Dr. David Fleischer, and Encase Consulting Group CEO Ike Ogbuebile, partnered with Boston Scientific and the African Esophageal Cancer Consortium (AfrECC).

The team conducted community outreach in high-risk areas like Salima and Nkhoma, raising awareness about early symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, and chronic heartburn, and stressed the importance of early medical evaluation.

As contained in a press statement shared with THISDAY, mobile screening units were deployed to local clinics, enabling on-site endoscopic exams and delivering vital diagnostic services to underserved populations.

A highlight of the mission was the introduction of Boston Scientific’s Ultraflex™ Esophageal Stent.

Under Dr. Fleischer’s guidance, more than 25 Malawian doctors and clinical officers received hands-on training in stent placement, a technology that restores swallowing function for patients with obstructive tumors, even in late-stage cases.

Malawi currently has the world’s highest age-standardized rate for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) incidence and mortality. Esophageal cancer is the country’s third most common cancer, with most cases diagnosed late and limited treatment options available.

The programme’s long-term vision focuses on sustainable impact, combining advanced medical technology with local capacity-building, ongoing education, and peer-to-peer mentorship. High-level talks with President Lazarus Chakwera, the U.S. Embassy, and the World Health Organisation highlighted the mission’s commitment to comprehensive cancer control.

Experts say this initiative unites innovation, training, and community empowerment, setting a model for other nations facing similar public health challenges.

The CEO of Encase Consulting Group, Ike Ogbuebile, played a key role by leading stakeholder engagement and advocating for resource allocation, helping to amplify community voices and international support for cancer control in Malawi.

Ogbuebile summed up the mission’s spirit: “Africa needs us, and we can’t forget the faces, the warmth, and the challenges of the people we met.”