Malawi Health

The Malawi health care system provides necessary health services to all the people of Malawi. Though Malawi is one of the poorest countries in Africa, the Malawi Ministry of Health and Population has provided basic health services to the people living in the remotest areas of the country. Poverty is the main cause behind the deterioration of the Malawi health care system. There is lack of infrastructure that poses a big problem in providing better health care services to the Malawians. The government of Malawi has arranged for several health care programs which are gaining popularity over time. Such programs are not usually conducted in other parts of Africa.

In Malawi districts, the medical treatments can be availed free of cost. Most families in Malawi cannot even pay for the basic healthcare services. People need to go to the various hospitals and health centers in Malawi for small ailments like headaches and burns. Medicines are available only in hospitals and healthcare centers.

In an attempt to improve the Malawi health care system and offer services to every Malawian, the government has planned for a three-tired scheme. The rural hospitals and health centers serve around 30,000 Malawians covering 50 villages. Though the centers are deprived of doctors, nurses and clinicians substitute them. These rural health centers offer treatments for fractures, malaria, abrasions and post-natal and pre-natal care.

The district hospitals are better-equipped in offering medical treatment to the people. Apart from having good doctors, these hospitals are equipped with x-ray machines, laboratories and various other modern equipments. Surgical treatment is also available to the patients.

There are some ailments which cannot be treated even at these hospitals so the patient needs to be referred to one of the central hospitals. Equipped with modern diagnostic instruments, these hospitals offer the most advanced medical treatment to the patients. And to top it off, there are some expensive clinics situated in the cities of Malawi that are quite inaccessible to the ordinary Malawians.