Malawi

•  About the Hospital

  The Beit CURE International Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi is a 66-bed teaching hospital that specializes in treating the orthopedic needs of children and adults. The facility was opened in 2002 and serves children with physical disabilities regardless of their ethnic background, religious affiliation or ability to pay.

  Annually, Beit CURE Malawi sees about 8,000 patients and performs 1,500 surgeries. The hospital also has special expertise in total hip and knee replacement surgery, one of the very few places where this surgery is available in Sub-Saharan Africa. The hospital treats a wide range of orthopedic conditions including clubfoot, burn contractures, osteomyelitis and other acquired or congenital conditions. In addition, Beit CURE Malawi also provides physiotherapy and chiropractic services.

  Orthopedic Clinical Officer Training

  The hospital maintains an orthopedic clinical officer training program. This program trains nurses to work as orthopedic physician extenders to serve outlying areas. The hospital also conducts monthly mobile clinics to identify children in remote areas who can be served by the hospital and to provide follow-up care to those who have received surgery.

  Smile Train Collaboration

  Since the fall of 2006, in collaboration with Smile Train, CURE has developed cleft lip and cleft palate surgical training programs in most of CURE's hospitals worldwide. These programs not only provide surgery for children but train national surgeons in reconstructive surgery and provide counseling to the families.

•  About the Country

  Malawi

  

  Malawi is a landlocked country located in Southeast Africa, surrounded by Mozambique, Zambia, and Tanzania. Lake Malawi, formerly Lake Nyasa, occupies most of the country's eastern border. The north-south Rift Valley is flanked by mountain ranges and high plateau areas.

  Country Facts

  Population: 13,571,000

  Climate: sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November)

  Nationality: Malawian

  Language: Chichewa

  Capital: Lilongwe

  Percent population under age of 15: 46%

  Years of life expectancy at birth: 41

  Infant mortality (per 1000 live births): 83.5

  Child mortality (death before age 5): 175

  Per capital health expenditure: $70

  Sources: CIA World Factbook and World Health Organization

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