Ekwendeni Hospital is a 210-bed facility with a long history of service to the rural population of over 220,000 in northern Malawi and border regions of Tanzania and Zambia. The hospital began in the late 1890's as a ministry of the Free Church of Scotland. Today, it is operated by the Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian (CCAP), Synod of Livingstonia, in partnership with PC(USA), the Church of Scotland and the Presbyterian Church of Ireland.
Support from CCAP's partners has steadily expanded services and facilities, which now include a 24-bed TB ward, a well baby and outpatient clinic and separate buildings for maternity and pediatrics units. The maternity ward includes three nurseries providing care for premature infants as well as normal births. Ophthalmologic and dental surgery are also available at Ekwendeni. An average of 25,000 outpatients are treated each year, with more than 7,500 patients being admitted annually. HIV, tuberculosis and malaria are the most frequent causes for admission.
Ekwendeni Hospital coordinates an extensive program of community health and prevention education to address the predominant diseases of AIDS and childhood malaria, diarrhea and malnutrition. Families are trained and equipped to care for family members with AIDS in their homes. A Nutrition Rehabilitation Center feeds malnourished children and teaches mothers about diet, nutrition and vegetable gardening. |
