Mr. Confidence Banda

Confidence Banda is a young scientist with Honors degree in Medical Laboratory sciences aspiring for a Master’s degree and PHD in Global Health and Implementation Science. Global Health training combined with the current qualification will position him to Lead a robust team in policy making related to medical laboratory medicine in Malawi based on local evidence, provide mentorship of students interested in medical laboratory research in Malawi and Contribute to regional excellence in the laboratory diagnostic services and patient management. Lack of policy review and Implementation is one of the leading factors stagnating the provision of essential diagnostic services in Malawi and Sub-Saharan Africa. There is an implicit acceptance that an evidence-based culture underpins the practice of laboratory medicine, however in Malawi laboratory diagnostic services are limited to only a few hospitals of which many are struggling to keep up with the high demands and quality standard levels. As for rural areas, knowledge of, and access to medical laboratory services is almost nonexistent. This leaves disease diagnosis solely to be done clinically- which is contributing to high rates of misdiagnosis and antimicrobial resistance.

Confidence Banda believes that the scope of leadership is based on defining the real needs of a society, extension of opportunities available to those in need, utilization of gaps between deeply held values and current practice to implement effective change and realigning of values to promote good governance. He strongly believes that for Malawi and the world at large to achieve the one health approach, multifactorial disease preventive measures, policy reviews and implementation are vital for the sustainable development goals to be achieved. A one health approach will enable health systems to provide essential health services that satisfy the priority health care needs of the population with due regard to disease prevalence, public health relevance, evidence of utility and accuracy and comparative cost-effectiveness.

Currently working with UNC Project-Malawi as the Health and Safety Coordinator and Medical Lab-Research Scientist.