Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

INTRODUCTION: Malawi is a poor country with few doctors. It has 21 district hospitals all of which have operating theatres but none of which has a permanent surgeon. It also has 4 central hospitals, each with one or more surgeons. Most district hospitals are manned by a single doctor and two or more paramedical clinical officers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All district and central hospitals were visited, and theatre logbooks analysed. All cases performed in 2003 were recorded. RESULTS: In 2003, a total of 48,696 surgical operations were recorded, of which 25,053 were performed in 21 district hospitals and 23,643 in 4 central hospitals. Caesarean section is the commonest major surgical procedure in district hospitals and is performed in approximately 2.8% of all births, compared to 22% in the UK. Very few major general surgical or orthopaedic procedures are carried out in district hospitals. CONCLUSION: This study underlines Malawi's need for more surgeons to be trained and retained.

Original publication

DOI

10.1308/003588407X209329

Type

Journal article

Journal

Ann r coll surg engl

Publication Date

10/2007

Volume

89

Pages

722 - 724

Keywords

Health Surveys, Hospitals, District, Hospitals, Rural, Hospitals, Urban, Humans, Malawi, Surgery Department, Hospital, Surgical Procedures, Operative