The purpose of this paper is to create a health profile of the country of Malawi identifying the state of the overall health of the country based on specific health issues. Malawi has a population of 15,263,000. The average lifespan for males is 44 years and the average lifespan for females is 51 years. The leading causes of death in Malawi are HIV/AIDS, Lower Respiratory Infections, Malaria, Diarrheal Disease, and Perinatal Conditions. Infant mortality has a rate of 58 deaths for every 1,000 live births (Bowie, 2006).
The Malawi Government has been consistently looking for ways to improve the public health including maintaining a budget for disease prevention and control. The Government has also teamed up with the Ministry of health to create a Health Services delivery system in Malawi to address the needs of treatment and care of patients (CDC, 2016). Together the government and Ministry offer services to the community through Health centers and Hospitals, and also through community based educational services. They have set up Health Surveillance Assistants (HSA) to help create a connection to the community. The HSA conduct health education services, immunizations, and other services.
The two main health service providers in Malawi are the Malawi Government and then the Christian Hospital Association of Malawi (CHAM). The government health facilities are responsible for about 60% of the health services while the CHAM accounts for about 35% (CDC, 2016). There are private
In contrast with Lincoln Parish’s population growth rate which is nearly stagnant is Molo Parish, which is in, Kenya, one of the countries in the world with the highest population growth rates. Over the years, the population has more than tripled, greatly increasing pressure on the country’s resources. Together with a widening income gap, this has eroded gains in education, health, food security, employment and income. Also, HIV/AIDS is most prevalent among young and middle-aged Kenyans in Molo Parish, the most productive segment of the population. The illness leaves orphans and households headed by women that are even more vulnerable to poverty. The burden of waterborne diseases, malaria and HIV/AIDS weighs heavily on both the country and Kenyan families, affecting income, food security and development potential. Life expectancy fell to 46 years in
The entity performs surveillance by monitoring and investigating any health threats that occur. The organization keeps the health care system aware, abreast, and prepared for emergency situations. It also aids the public health departments by offering subsidy and technical assistance. The CDC has a direct effect on the health care system because procedures the facilities implement are from the public health departments who learn from the CDC’s emergency protocols, (CDC, 2012).
As a high-income society, the United States when comparing the health care statistics to others world-wide is one of the most blessed nations in the world, but many people who struggle to pay for their health care find that our health care system has many weaknesses that effect the overall quality of care and their personal well-being. Health is defined by the World Health Organization as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being” (Macionis 236). There are many degrees of both physical and mental health and most people fall short of complete health and find themselves in need of medical care. One indicator that is used to measure a society’s overall health is the infant mortality rate, which is “the number of babies who die before their first birthday out of every thousand babies born” (Macionis 236). As expected, America’s infant mortality rates are low especially when coming comparing the rates to countries that are known to have economic hardships. Another means to measure the overall health well-being of a society is by determining the life expectancy at birth or the number of years that a person is expected to live in a given society. High-income nation’s life-expectancy rates are higher and most people can live long lives without serious health conditions until later in life. Low-income nations unfortunately can have much lower life expectancies. The economy and livelihood of a
The health of many women in Algeria which is part of Sub-Saharan Africa in 1990 were impacted by the poor health care system because they lived in poverty. Poverty caused these women to lack essential needs to live a quality life. They lacked or could not afford resources such as supplies, health care professionals, and facilities for healthcare, clean water, and waste disposal. This ultimately affected the health of women and their children. For instance, lack of clean water and waste disposal facilities can cause health abnormalities such as cholera or typhoid fever which can cause devastating deaths. This is a healthcare problem because of the lack of funding. The lack of funding prevents antibiotics from being used to prevent death, and prevents African’s from being vaccinated against typhoid fever. Another example of how poverty affects woman’s health is unintended pregnancy, which is because they are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior. It's part of the health crisis because it includes a poor health system, and a lack of education about proper nutrition and behaviors during pregnancy. Complications in these pregnancies due to poor nutrition and not visiting the doctor regularly includes increased infant mortality. Infant mortality in the slums of Nairobe is 91.3% while it is 75.9% in urban areas where there is a better developed healthcare system. The inferiority of poor Africans in
First of all, an increase in the use of insecticide-treated bed nets has reduced malaria. Approximately 60% of children under age five and 55% of pregnant women now sleep under mosquito nets, up from only 9 per cent in 2001. Nearly 3 million nets were retreated with insecticide in 2005. In addition, treatments for malaria are becoming more accessible. The Malawi Ministry of Health’s National Malaria Control Program has been able to scale up the distribution of artemisinin-based combination therapies and intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women. Because of all the prevention efforts and treatments, the incidence of Malaria has decreased over time. For example, Malaria incidence in 2015 was 386 per 1000 population representing a 20% reduction from 484 per 1000 in 2010. Also, the number of deaths due to Malaria has lessened from 5.6% to 3.4% in 2004 and 2009. Eventually, malaria will no longer one of the biggest killers in
The primary focus of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is to provide quality health care to individuals who are vulnerable (economically, medically, or geographically) and improve health equity by increasing access to health programs and skilled professionals (HRSA, 2017). Many of the HRSA’s major programs provide direct care, prevention services, and drug treatment for those in need, such as their maternal and child health programs, rural health programs, and programs to support low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS (HRSA, 2017). The HRSA also provides primary health services through its nearly 1,400 health centers and free clinics (HRSA, 2017). Additionally, they support workforce development through scholarships
Swaziland lie on the fifth lowest place in the world on the index of life expectancy, according to the CIA World Fact Book, with expected life is on average 49,2 years. (3) The UN have in their MDG's informed that the goal is to reduce the number of child death before the age of 5 from 180/1000 children to 60/1000 children by 2015. In 2008, they where down to 129, meaning they are going in the right direction, but not fast enough. Swaziland is a part of the area which are referred to as Sub-Sahara Africa, having HIV/AIDS problems like no other area in the world.
Malawi is one of six southern African countries - along with Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Swaziland - in which 14.5 million people face severe
2.8 million, of whom 1.5 million are children face food shortages because of the severe drought. The lack of rain caused the crops to not grow and no crops means no food. Since most of the people in Malawi rely on the agriculture to provide food and survival, their lives have been impacted deeply. Malawian mothers were interviewed by IBTIMES UK and talked about their concern for their children’s health due to the lack of food that they have. The malawian government gave them 18,000 tons of maize to feed the families but the mothers are worried because the children won’t eat it and are afraid they might die. In 2010, it was recorded that 1.4 million of the children are malnourished. There has also been a lack of electricity. “We’re in a vicious cycle, “Even myself, in my house, I have one or two bags of charcoal because you need it during the blackouts. That’s me. What about somebody who is not conscious of the dangers of charcoal?” said Clement Chilima, the government’s director. It is hard to overcome poverty and I don’t know how people get used to
Social Determinants of Health Q1. The mortality rate for children under 5 years in Africa among twelve countries indicate that the “mortality went high in 1990 by 52% in Botswana and Zimba 43%, according to Michael Marmot, and 75% of child mortality in Iraq. The classification of a household for child mortality is varies among countries. The child mortality is the highest among countries within the poorest household, and also there is the higher level of socioeconomic of the household lower mortality rate. In Africa” (Marmot 2005)
“Primary health care and public health care services are managed through four geographic divisions” (Roberts, G., Irava, W., Tuiketei, T., Nadakuitavuk, R., Otealag, S., Singh, S., ... Chang, O, 2011). The mission statement of the MOH is “providing high quality health care delivery service by a caring and committed workforce. And working with strategic partners through good governance, appropriate technology and appropriate risk management, facilitating a focus on patient safety and best health status for the citizens of Fiji” (Guiding Principles, 2014). Even though, medical facilities and sub-divisional hospitals have been implemented, the citizens of Fiji are still having problems with being able to access healthcare and other services. According to Neil Sharma, “inadequate pharmaceutical supplies and manpower shortages have resulted in inadequate peripheral care. Limited financial resources and lack of health planning are contributing to deteriorating primary health care delivery” (Sharma, 2011). Other missionary groups such as The Mission of Natuvu Creek are providing, medical, dental, and vision services to the poorer communities in Vanua Levu. Their mission is to “serve the rural people of Fiji through the provision of world-class medical/dental care, education, job training and counseling in healthful living and spiritual growth” (The Mission at Natuvu Creek, 2012). Most Fijians still consider treated aliments either via Westernized Modern medicine or holistic
“Primary health care and public health care services are managed through four geographic divisions” (Roberts, G., Irava, W., Tuiketei, T., Nadakuitavuk, R., Otealag, S., Singh, S., ... Chang, O, 2011). The mission statement of the MOH is “providing high quality health care delivery service by a caring and committed workforce. And working with strategic partners through good governance, appropriate technology and appropriate risk management, facilitating a focus on patient safety and best health status for the citizens of Fiji” (Guiding Principles, 2014). Even though, medical facilities and sub-divisional hospitals have been implemented, the citizens of Fiji are still having problems with being able to access healthcare and other services. According to Neil Sharma, “inadequate pharmaceutical supplies and manpower shortages have resulted in inadequate peripheral care. Limited financial resources and lack of health planning are contributing to deteriorating primary health care delivery” (Sharma, 2011). Other missionary groups such as The Mission of Natuvu Creek are providing, medical, dental, and vision services to the poorer communities in Vanua Levu. Their mission is to “serve the rural people of Fiji through the provision of world-class medical/dental care, education, job training and counseling in healthful living and spiritual growth” (The Mission at Natuvu Creek, 2012). Most Fijians still consider treated aliments either via Westernized Modern medicine or holistic
The birthrate and maternal mortality rate are high in this country. Diarrheal dehydration and malaria are endemic. Less than half the people are not vaccinated and infections are three times worse in these rural areas. For every 1,000 people in Benin there are approximately 36.51 births. The death rate for every 1,000 people is about 8.39. The infant mortality rate for males is around 60.26 deaths per 1,000 births, females is 53.76 per 1,000 births. Life expectancy for males is averaged out at 59.75, a female’s life expectancy is slightly high at 62.47 years of
Malawi is among the world's least developed countries. The economy is mainly based in agriculture, with a large rural population. The Malawian government depends heavily on outside aid to meet development needs, although
If the AIDS population growth continues like it is, where does this leave Africa? By the