Malawi

Malawi in South East Africa is one of the world’s least developed countries, with a largely rural population and agricultural economy.

The government rely heavily on aid to meet their development targets. The country is blighted by several health issues, including a high prevalence of HIV and AIDS across the population.

It has a population of 18 million people and an average life expectancy of 58 for men and 63 for women.

Alder Hey’s partnership and collaboration with the University of Malawi College of Medicine and the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre, Malawi has a long history. Some former Alder Hey staff have taken up leading roles in the College of Medicine, notably Principal Professor Robin Broadhead and Professor Elizabeth Molyneux- Head of Paediatrics at QECH.

In addition, a nurse exchange programme has allowed for paediatric nurses to gain experience of nursing in quite different environments. A number of paediatricians have gained Wellcome Trust fellowships to conduct research on childhood illness in Malawi.