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Malawi Expat Health Insurance

The Republic of Malawi in southeast Africa has a population of around 15 million, and the landlocked nation, formerly known as Nyasaland is known as the “Warm Heart of Africa”. A former British colony, it achieved independence in 1964 and currently functions as a multi-party democracy. Malawi is a landlocked equatorial country with varied terrain including the Great Rift Valley. It also boasts two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Lake Malawi National Park and the Chongoni Rock Art area. Malawi is classified as a Least Developed Country (LDC), and its economy is largely dependent on agriculture and foreign aid. Tobacco, tea, sugar, wood and cement production are the leading industries. The official languages of Malawi are English and Chichewa, and several native African dialects are widely spoken.

Malawi Healthcare System

Like many sub Saharan African countries, life expectancy in Malawi is very low; only 44 years for males and 51 years for females. HIV infection is Malawi’s greatest public health issue and has made a major contribution to the mortality rate, with 110 cases per 1,000 adults, more than twice the already high African regional average.

Annual total health expenditure per capita is USD50, less than one quarter of the African regional average, although this figure does represent 6.2 percent of Malawi’s low GDP. Of total health expenditure, 58 percent comes from government spending. Among private health care spending, Malawians are increasingly relying on private health insurance, which now accounts for 14.5 percent of all private health spending; out of pocket expenditure makes up 28.5 percent of out of pocket spending. In 1999, the Malawian government instituted a decentralization program which focused on “devolving” health care responsibility to district, rather than national, authorities.

The Malawian health care system is woefully understaffed, with only 2 doctors and 28 nurses and midwives per 100,000 people, and even these are clustered in more populated areas. Poor training and “brain drain” of skilled professionals to more developed countries have taken a toll. In 2005, Malawi instituted an emergency human resource program to assist with training and retention of health care workers. According to the Malawian Ministry of Health, there are 1,059 health centres in Malawi, 575 of these are government run, and 200 are private for profit hospitals and clinics.

Improvements in Malawian health care infrastructure have seen gains in the provision of antenatal, birth and infant care. Statistical indicators show that Malawian utilisation of skilled health professionals during this critical period is far above African averages. For example, more than 90 percent of one year olds receive measles immunisation, compared to an African average of 69 percent.

From a public health perspective, Malawi has also benefited from rapid gains in the provision of improved drinking water. While nearly all urban residents have had access to clean water for decades, focused policy measures have seen rural Malawians go from 40 percent access to about 80 percent access within two decades. Implementing improved sanitation facilities has been less successful, with only about half of Malawians having access.

Given Malawi’s extreme poverty, it is heavily reliant on external aid in the provision of health care. The WHO’s Global Alert and Response (GAR) team has released a number of bulletins on outbreaks of plague and cholera in Malawi, although the most recent was in 2002. The WHO has also drafted a “Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) 2008 – 2013” with the Malawian Ministry of Health to set out aims for improving health. The CCS outlines three major priority areas: building individual and national health security, including reducing the burden of disease and increasing preparedness for epidemics and natural disasters; strengthening the health system to improve the equity and efficiency of care; and addressing the socioeconomic determinants of health in order to reduce poverty.

Malawi’s cultural richness and varied terrain make it an attractive destination for more adventurous travelers. In order to reduce risk, it is worth visiting the US Centers for Disease Control recommendations on precautions for travelers to Malawi. The first step is visiting a physician specializing in travel health four to six weeks before departure to ensure routine immunizations are updated. Visitors from areas with yellow fever are required to show proof of immunization upon arrival in Malawi.

With its tropical environment, malaria and dengue fever are major health concerns in Malawi. Visitors should consider taking anti-malarial medication on a prophylactic basis; drugs should be purchased in your home country to ensure safety of supply. Long sleeved clothing, insect repellent with DEET and bed nets should also be used.

Gastrointestinal problems are the most common medical complaint of any traveler. Avoid raw and undercooked food, including fruits and vegetables, and ice cubes, and drink only bottled water to minimize risk. Over the counter anti diarrheal medication should relieve acute cases; persistent diarrhea should merit a visit to a physician.

Malawi is one of the poorest countries on earth, with very limited health care. Over half of the population lives more than 5 kilometers of a health care facility, and these are mostly understaffed with limited drugs and other supplies. Hence beds at the best hospitals are very difficult to get and, air evacuation will often be required for situations requiring serious medical attention in Malawi. Expat health insurance can not only provide the best chance of ensuring access to adequate healthcare wherever you are, but can also help you contain the costs of such lifesaving medical care and emergency transportation

Malawi Expat Health Insurance

Fortunately, Global Health Insurance is here to assist with any travel and health insurance needs if you are planning to visit Africa, we can provide an in-depth consultation on insurance options that will cover you in Malawi. Expat health insurance policies that we deal with can provide cover for dental, maternity, specialist consultation, transportation, inpatient services and more. Global Health Insurance boasts a dedicated roster of experienced advisors who provide detailed options around the clock, with policies for solo travellers, families and tour groups. Please contact a Global Health Insurance representative for further worldwide health insurance details.

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