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Malawi Health Care Support UK
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Malawi's 10 million inhabitants have a life expectancy of just 35.9 years, (more stats...).
The health care system is in a desperate situation.
Supplies are unavailable for much basic equipment and medicine.
Overcrowded, understaffed and under funded hospitals struggle to cope.
Beds are short, so people have to sleep on floors.
The lucky ones get mattresses - some do not !
Malawians are at risk from a wide range of inflictions. If people fall ill recovery is hard. Medical care is substandard, even in the best private medical facilities.
There are many prevalent diseases in Malawi. Travellers to Malawi have to be especially wary of the health risks. They will often have to take vaccinations against hepatitis A, typhoid, hepatitis B, rabies, influenza and polio. Cholera also poses a significant threat, and aid workers in the country are usually advised to have cholera jabs. Many residents will have some level of natural immunization from these diseases. However, they are all still at risk.
Another serious risk, for residents and travellers, is Malaria.
Like African trypanosomiasis, it is transmitted by mosquitoes and flies.
As such it can not be avoided, and there are no 100% effective anti-malaria drugs.
There is also risk from food- and water-carried diseases.
Hepatitis A and typhoid fever are common in Malawi, and easily transmitted through contaminated water or unhygienic food handling.
Tuberculosis (TB) is present in all developing countries. Malawi is in the World Health Organisation's (WHO) highest risk category. This disease is easily transmitted, including through the air.
Despite reports saying it has been eradicated from Lake Malawi, cases of Schistosomiasis still occur. Death is relatively rare in untreated cases, (less than 1% die as a direct result), but the number of cases is huge, with over 200,000,000 people infected worldwide. However there are many effects, and quality of life is severely reduced. This parasite is usually passed through fresh waters, such as lakes, rivers and inadequately treated tap water. With the recent floods, this and other water-borne diseases are particularly virulent at the moment.
The most publicised problem in Malawi is probably that of HIV/AIDS. Approximately 15% of Malawi's population carries the virus, (stats...). The country is one of the worst affected in the world. The problems associated with HIV/AIDS are well publicised. However, small countries like Malawi often miss the media spotlight and so miss out on international aid.
In 1995, a group of Malawians resident in the UK formed Malawi Health Care Support (UK). It is now a registered charity in the UK, (Number 1057994). As it names suggests it aims to provide health care support in Malawi. It supplies basic medicines and equipment, provides grants as well as other activities co-ordinated with the needs of the Malawian health care system. Its other major aim is to raise awareness of health problems in Malawi. It has many members, and provides a social focus for both Malawians and non-Malawians alike. The society's events always prove to be immense fun. Membership is open to anyone who has an interest in helping. Even if you don't wish to join, any support you give is most welcome, from donations to helping organise events.