Healthcare provision in Malawi is about as bad as it can be, according to the World Health Organisation. There is a lack of manpower, training, funding, equipment and political commitment. In 2012, the President at the time lost his life because he could not access the necessary cardiac treatment. Each year, we bring medical supplies that cannot be sourced in Malawi as well as funding for new equipment.
Introducing Achikondi Clinic
Charity Salima explains how support like ours is vital for helping mothers, babies and the whole community.
Bwaila Maternity Unit
Bwaila Hospital was where it all started for WMP. Linda McDonald, a colleague of Sally Rae from her Simpsons days, was so moved by her visit to the hospital (then called Bottom Hospital) that she set up the Malawi Maternity Mothers campaign in 2005.
Not only did she inspire Sally to help, but her campaigning led to the creation of Scotland Malawi Partnership through first minister, Jack McConnell.
The WMP community provides support with knitted hats and booties to keep the new-borns warm in place of incubators and jumpers for going home in. See patterns >>
Achikondi Community Clinic
Through Linda, we met Charity Salima, founder of Achikondi Community Clinic. Her clinic was recently commended for delivering 8,000 births without death to baby or mother. In the past, we have provided a mobile thermal ablation device to treat women with cervical cancer and an oxygen concentrator for the baby unit.
In this second video, Charity explains how support like ours is keeping the clinic going through the pandemic.
500 Miles
We are proud to support 500 Miles, set up by Edinburgh's own Olivia Giles, and her campaign to build a new prosthetics clinic in Mzuzu. Meeting the team to see how they fit prosthetics to restore some independence is always a powerful experience for our students.
We also take medical supplies to a small community clinic in Mangochi, with its own maternity unit. One lucky boy was recently named Richard after Mr T! They are happy to provide a tour for anyone interested in studying medicine, nursing or midwifery.