Just before 1900, missionaries serving with AEF (now SIM) started Lulwe and, later, Chididi Health Centres in Malawi, a joint venture between the mission and the Africa Evangelical Church. They adopted an holistic approach, seeking to use every opportunity to share the gospel with patients and their relatives.

Today each of the two health centres serves about 10,000 people, mostly subsistence farmers, offering all of the needed preventative and curative services in these rural areas.

These include: midwifery, outpatient clinics, immunization outreach, under-5 clinics, antenatal care and health teaching. In addition, the health centres have the facilities to admit up to 20 inpatients for extensive treatment.

By making minimal charges to the patients, the health centres are able to meet their daily running costs. For example, expenditures for medicine, cleaning products and stationery can normally be covered in this way.

Necessities and possibilities
However, not every cost associated with running a health facility can be met by the patients. Passing on such expenses as repairs or replacement of medical equipment and building maintenance would make health services unaffordable for impoverished villagers in rural Malawi. 

Another big outlay is for the high annual facility registration fees that must be paid every year to bodies such as the Christian Health Association of Malawi, the Malawi Pharmacy Board and other government organizations. Without these registrations, the Lulwe and Chididi health centres would not be allowed to treat patients—they would be forced to walk up to 40 km to the next health facility. 

Capital investments for items such as mattresses, blankets, medical furniture, and surgical instruments are always needed. And, if funds were available, the health centres could be equipped to run on solar power.

Located in extremely remote, hilly areas of Malawi, the facilities operate without electricity. Solar power could be the answer to many of their needs. Making lights available during the night—for inpatients and for those delivering babies—would make a world of difference. 

By partnering with us, you can help to bridge the gap between the necessities and the possibilities for these two health centres. If you would like to help, please send your gift to the SIM-UK office, marked for the Malawi Service Support project (96456) or give online, by clicking the link below.

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