A nurse talks with a new mother. Photo by Bob Ellis. Mulanje Hospital is located in southern Malawi, 80 kilometers from the country's largest city, Blantyre, and 15 kilometers from the Mozambique border. The hospital is in a rural area of tea plantations and subsistence farms, at the foot of the magnificent Mount Mulanje. Founded in the late 1800's, by the Church of Scotland, Mulanje is now under the auspices of the Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian (CCAP) and is CCAP's only hospital in Blantyre Synod.
Once known as a maternity hospital, Mulanje today is a 200-bed general hospital that includes a men's ward, a pediatric unit, and an outpatient department. More than 2,500 babies are born at Mulanje in a typical year, and over 60,000 outpatients seek treatment there. Malaria, respiratory infections, and gastrointestinal conditions are the most common illnesses. The hospital supports four health centers and operates a mobile clinic program. A nursing school adjacent to the hospital trains nurses for health programs throughout southern Malawi.
Throughout its long history, Mulanje Hospital has upheld a firm commitment to fellowship and evangelism. The new Head of Station, Rev. James Bwanali Kanyochole, begins each day by leading prayers for the patients and staff.
Mulanje Hospital has a staff of 208, led by Medical Director Dr. Roland van de Ven from the Netherlands. The staff includes PC(USA) mission co-worker Dr. Sue Makin. As an obstetrician/gynecologist, Dr. Makin is pioneering the provision of fistula repair surgery, to correct a condition caused by obstructed labor, which renders women incontinent. Another specialized service for women, cervical cancer screening, is being offered at Mulanje Hospital, in an effort to reduce the high rate of that cancer.
Dr. Sue Makin and nursing students. Photo by Bob Ellis.
Malawi continues to be among the ten nations worldwide with the lowest per-capita income and the highest under-five child mortality rates. Mulanje Hospital offers malnourished children intensive care at the nutrition clinic, while mothers are trained in cooking and gardening techniques. Due to the HIV/AIDs epidemic, life expectancy in Malawi has dropped to only 37 years. Anti-Retroviral Therapy is now offered at Mulanje for the treatment of AIDS.
The hospital runs HIV/AIDS services in 67 villages, reaching about 650,000 people. Malnourished children receive intensive care at the nutrition clinic, while mothers are trained in cooking and gardening techniques.
The Mulanje hospital is assisted by gifts to Extra Commitment Opportunity Account #862726. Fistula surgery and cervical cancer screening services are supported by ECO #051716, Women's Health International, and by a grant from the Presbyterian Women's Thank Offering. The Medical Benevolence Foundation is raising funds for capital improvements. |
