The Learning Centre is one of the 5 learning centres in Sub Saharan Africa and 23rd in the world. The Centre will develop and run educational programmes with renowned and international endoscopy bodies who include the World Gastroenterology Organization—WGO and the British Society of Gastroenterology.

Dr. Mwapatsa Mipando said the Centre therefore provides a platform from where medical practitioners in Malawi and other countries learn how to perform different internationally accepted procedures on different digestive problems.

“The centre provides a platform where practitioners learn how to perform different procedures on digestive problems. these are procedures which are internationally” he added.

Dr. Andrew Gonani, Director of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, welcomed the centre saying it will improve delivery of services to people who have digestive problems including ulcers and cancer of the throat.

“A lot of people misinterpreted their digestive problems. Most people will always speculate their digestive disorders are ulcers. But the opening of this centre will help to remove all misconceptions. We will also be able to identify cancers of digestive “ he said.

Meanwhile, President of WGO Professor David Bjorkman, who graced the inauguration, said the Malawi Centre compliments his organization’s objective to promote gastroenterological health throughout the world.

“WGO has been looking for opportunities to promote gastroenterological health throughout the world. Then Malawi just helped WGO to achieve that “ he added.

Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, University of Malawi’s College of Medicine and the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust are partners in the running of the centre.