With health there can be enterprise and education. With enterprise and education there can be nutrition, and with nutrition there can be health.
We work with the Ministry of Health to provide a Medical Outreach which delivers free healthcare to almost 12000 people a year in 9 rural areas surrounding Malawi's capital Lilongwe. The service includes antenatal, under-5s, family planning, sexual health, malaria and HIV testing/treatment, and vaccinations.
Malawi has some of the lowest access to healthcare in the world with only 0.02 physicians per 1000 people; over half of Malawians live more than 5kms away from a medical centre. The country has 10th highest prevalence of HIV/AIDs in the world (1 in 10 adults carry it), which with malaria and other disease, makes child and adult mortality rates among the highest in Africa; 1 in 6 children is an orphan.
Nutrition is integrated into LSU’s education and enterprise projects, such as Sustainable Family Futures and the Sustainable School. 50% of Malawians suffer from stunted growth; if a child under 5 suffers from malnutrition, they will never recover.
“It’s health that is real wealth and not pieces of silver and gold” - Mahatma Gandhi
Malawi has a high prevalence of diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS and other tropical diseases.
Poor access to healthcare means people travel hrs often on foot to the nearest hospital and when they get there they may not be able to afford the treatment that might be available.
Malawi has the 2nd fastest growing population in the world, currently around 18.5 million. 95% of the population are young or elderly dependents, and the average age is 16yrs old.
Malawi is one of the most densely populated and least developed countries in the world. Low productivity and high inflation mean 52% live on less than 23p a day.
How we work
LSU runs a Medical Outreach across 8 areas every month, delivering free health-care to over 7000 people annually. The service includes prevention, hygiene and sanitation awareness.
A Mother-Baby Wellbeing course offers education in healthcare, sanitation, nutrition and baby massage, taught over 6-weeks, in 3 areas. LSU has built and a nursery and Mother-Baby hub for the classes and community groups.
Nutrition is taught and facilitated through Sustainable Family Futures and the Sustainable School, improving diet and therefore health.
Research was undertaken in 2016 to assess the needs of rural villages and provide more suitable services.
Looking Towards The Future
Medical Outreach is strategically planning a response to Malawi's booming population, the 2nd fastest-growing in the world, currently 18.5million, and the growing prevalence of HIV/AIDs amongst young people.
We aim to partner with other NGO's in order to focus more heavily on birth control and family planning.
Creating community spaces for Mother Baby Wellbeing classes where there is demand but no infrastructure.
- Almost 8000 people given free healthcare from 2016-2017 including;
- Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria - 2500 tests and 1330 treated.
- Vaccinations - 1500 under 5s fully immunised.
- Growth monitoring of over 7000 under-5s and vitamin A supplied to over 600.
- Over 8000 supplied with birth control.
- Almost 1000 given HIV testing, education, support, counselling and treatment.
- Over 500 women given antenatal care.
- £20 can fund 1 Mother and Baby through a Wellbeing course
- £50 can buy mosquito nets for 100 children at risk of malaria
- £70 can pay 1 nurse to go on outreach for 1 month
- £100 can supply resources for the clinic for one month
- £400 covers the cost of 1 month of Medical Outreach
- £500 can keep 1 Medical Outreach vehicle on the road for 1 year
- £5,000 can buy 1 outreach vehicle
How you can get involved
We believe in partnerships and the power of connection. By working together and through creating opportunities which benefit individuals, organisations communities and influence global trends and policies we succeed in empowering communities in poverty.