Health
The Malawian health system is facing major challenges. In addition to the large hospitals in Blantyre (Queen Elisabeth Hospital, to which the medical faculty of the University of Malawi, the renowned College of Medicine, is affiliated) and Lilongwe (Kamuzu Central Hospital), which are among the best-equipped state hospitals there are a number of smaller facilities (Zomba, Mzuzu) and district hospitals. Overall, the density of health facilities in the country is manageable. Treatment is free so far. However, consideration is being given to charging fees in order to improve the supply of medicines. There are significant bottlenecks in the supply of drugs and technical equipment. The departments are also hopelessly overcrowded. In the whole of the country there are only around 350 doctors, including development aid workers. The migration of well-trained health workers abroad is a major problem.
According to eningbo, there are also a number of private hospitals, some of which are run by the Christian churches. These are materially better equipped, but charge fees for treatment and medication. The Mwaiwathu Hospital in Blantyre, for example, has a good reputation.
Traditional medicine still plays an important role, especially in rural areas. But also traditional rituals that are dangerous to health and forbidden by the state are still practiced in some areas, as the case of the “hyenas” shows.
The main cause of death is AIDS. Around 9.2% of 15 to 49 year olds are considered infected (2018). This is a significant improvement over 2003, when 14% were reported HIV positive. This value has decreased continuously since 2004 (with one exceptional year). The Malawian government has submitted a progress report. The organization Doctors Without Borders has published a report on its own activities in Malawi on the current situation. There are a large number of AIDS orphans. In addition to HIV / AIDS and Malaria is a widespread disease, the fight against an important target is the government.
Useful addresses
Links, experts, and other resources
If you are looking for links to Malawi, you will find numerous in the listing of Stanford University in California. When looking for experts and resources, the database ” International Relations and Area Studies ” (IBLK) of the University of Karlsruhe can be helpful. The database includes over half a million references from 1980 onwards. The Subject areas included include: international politics, security, economic relations as well as foreign policy and the political, economic and social development of individual countries. The National Archives of Malawiare the largest archive in the country. However, many documents are subject to a 30-year retention period. The bimonthly magazine Afrika Süd published by the Southern Africa Information Office provides regular information in German. The British Council in Lilongwe is also a point of contact for information. For some time now, the Malawian embassy in Berlin has also been online again. In August 2009 the German-Malawian Society became based in Berlin. The DMaG sees itself as a forum for non-governmental organizations, companies and individuals who have a special interest in Malawi. She works closely with the Malawian embassy in Berlin. A newsletter available on the homepage offers a range of interesting and up-to-date information. The offer from the Malawian embassy in London is also of interest.
The online dictionary Chichewa is of interest to those interested in languages.
What really matters…
Have fun in a country that is primarily known for its peaceful and hospitable people and that is not without good reason that it bears the honorary title “The Warm Heart of Africa”!
