Challenges

In the last few years the hospital has been able to upgrade most of the facilities, due to very welcome, and very necessary assistance from donor organisations.

Apart from these successes Mua Mission Hospital still faces many challenges. There is great need for (financial) assistance to be able to give the community the health care that is so desperately needed. The patients are very poor. Therefore fees for health care have to be kept also low. The government is paying wages but for new investments and purchase of medicine and medical supplies and equipment Mua Mission Hospital stands on its own.

The patients of Mua Mission Hospital, who belong to the poorest population in the world, and the overburdened but dedicated staff would be very grateful for any help indeed.

DOCTORS

Mua Mission Hospital is in great need of doctors. Any assistance from doctors or medical students, for long or short periods, would be very welcome. Mua Mission Hospital has several good Clinical Officers. Volunteering doctors or medical students would be welcomed to work together with the Chief Medical Officer or the Clinical Officers, teaching them at the same time more skills.

There is also need of specialist services: a surgeon, and an orthopaedic, ophthalmic and ear-nose-throat specialist.

STAFF HOUSES

The number of patients of Mua Mission Hospital is growing. Therefore more staff is needed. To be able to attract well educated and dedicated staff, more well built staff houses are necessary.

MEDICINE REVOLVING FUND

For our work as a hospital to run smoothly we need sufficient drugs and medical supplies. Our problem and challenge as a hospital is to secure enough funds to procure these drugs and medical supplies. Drugs and medical supplies have to be bought and paid in advance of payment by patients. At present the hospital does not have the required amounts to pay in advance which means we have to take loans.

The hospital would like to start working with a revolving fund for drugs and medical supplies.

AMBULANCE

Mua Mission Hospital has two vehicles that are used as ambulances. These vehicles can carry people, but do not have any medical equipment. The hospital is looking for a (second hand) fully equipped ambulance, also to be able to refer severe cases to hospitals with more specialisms.

LACK OF FUNDS

Mua Mission Hospital is short of funding for some of its basic services. These services are not paid for by the government or otherwise. The hospital needs for example funding for palliative care support, a service that is new to medicine in Malawi and supports a great need of the community.

TRAINING

More training of staff members and patient attendants is a heartfelt wish among the staff of Mua Mission Hospital. Most of the (supportive) staff need upgrading and extra training to be able to work in accordance to the mission of Mua Mission Hospital: to provide loving and quality health care to the (very poor) people of the surrounding communities.