Background

Diseases such as malaria, hepatitis A and schistosomiasis are prevalent in Malawi. 14 % of 15 to 49 year olds are HIV/AIDS positive. Not everyone has access to clean drinking water and an adequate level of sanitation. Poor nutrition is also a problem in some areas. The combination of these factors gives a life expectancy of 37 years (UK figure is 78) and an under-5 mortality rate of 133 per 1000 (UK = 7).

Despite the problems, things are improving. HIV/AIDS prevalence has stopped rising, Anti Retroviral Therapy is increasing, under-5 mortality decreased by 43 % in the 12 years to 2004, immunisation programmes have eliminated measles, neo-natal tetanus and polio and 60% of under-5s have bed nets to tackle malaria.

Dedza District Hospital

Hospital Ward

Medical facilities in Dedza are limited. For a population of over half a million, there is only one public hospital with 150 beds in Dedza Township and a few out-patient clinics in the rural areas. There is also a mission hospital at Mua and private clinics in Dedza Township but they charge for services.

The Dedza District Development Plan (2007-10) aims to improve health services. Projects include -

• recruitment and training of medical staff and building more clinics
• increasing HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counselling and Testing Clinics and Anti-Retroviral Clinics and providing information through programmes in schools, youth groups and entertainment places
• increasing maternity services
• raising immunisation of under-5s to 90%
• supplementary feeding programmes to reduce malnutrition
• providing more clean water points and pit latrines

The Norwich-Dedza Partnership is providing assistance with health services. Information on recent and current work is given in this section.