Thatched shelter that used to serve as a clinic
This shelter was unusable during the rainy season.
Essentials February 2023
Under-fives in Malawi face a much brighter future
New under-fives clinic helps to save children's lives
Together, we're keeping young children healthy and well nourished
In a district of southern Malawi, a brand new building shines in the early morning sun.
This attractive building gives the locals, especially mothers, joy and optimism. It is a new health centre that provides antenatal and postnatal care to mothers and their children.
The previous local clinic was no more than a grass-thatched shelter. During the rainy season, growth-monitoring sessions at the clinic had to be suspended and, as a result, women were forced to walk a long distance to access under-fives clinic services.
“We used to walk 6km to the nearest clinic with our children,” says mum-of-two, Rosemary. The long distance, carrying babies and often getting soaked by the rain, discouraged many mothers from attending.
New purpose-built health centre
Mothers and children now receive the care they need to stay healthy.
The previous clinic “was not ideal for health care services” says Maliya, who has a baby. She adds that it “discouraged many mothers, including me, from going for their postnatal monthly visits.” This put their children’s health at risk.
A new health centre has changed everything
Thanks to training and support given by World Vision, the community now has a purpose-built facility on their doorstep. It provides easy access, and safety for mothers and children during the rainy season.
Women are attending the clinic in increasing numbers with their children. And male participation in postnatal care of children has also increased.
One-year-old Andrea has been visiting the new clinic with his dad, Moses, to receive nutritional supplements and deworming treatment.
Moses, who has two other children, is very thankful. “The new facility is contemporary and of a high standard, with bench seats for everyone.”
With the new facility, growth monitoring for under-fives in the area has increased to 95%, according to available statistics from the health care facility. The health centre serves about 20,000 people, from 58 villages, of which more than 2,400 are children under-five.
Under-fives clinic at the new health centre
Mothers with their children, attending the under-fives clinic at the new health centre. Here the under-fives receive the care they need to stay healthy.
Life for this community was transformed when, thanks to the training and support they received through World Vision, they were able to build a health centre.
Maliya attending the new under-fives clinic with her baby
“I no longer skip my monthly postnatal appointments. I have confidence that I will receive high-quality services.”
Maliya
Moses with baby Andrea outside the health centre
“I am grateful for better access to quality health service.”
Moses
Continued improvement
The community plan to add electricity in the health centre for lighting, and so that essential medical supplies, such as vaccines, can be stored safely.
They also hope to create a maternity wing. “Our goal is to relieve the stress of great distance that pregnant women face when they are scheduled for delivery,” says Josofati, chairperson of the health centre management committee. Currently, the nearest maternity facility is about 30km away.
Thanks to you, children like Andrea now have access to vital health care and nutrition, giving them a much better start in life.
Together, we’ll continue to provide the most vulnerable children with the essentials they need for a happier, healthier and brighter future.
