HELP US REVOLUTIONISE STROKE CARE IN MALAWI BY SUPPORTING THE STROKE UNIT
The effects of stroke can be devastating, resulting in death or disability, especially in developing countries like Malawi where stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death. In Malawi, stroke most commonly occurs when people are in their 40s or 50s and providing for their families.
Stroke units are simple organisational structures which transformed stroke care in the UK about 15-20 years ago and have led (in Europe) to a massive improvement in survival and reduction in disability from stroke.
The potential to transform outcomes in Malawi via this approach is enormous, especially as the incidence of stroke is rising fast in Southern Africa. We plan to make this unit culturally appropriate and sensitive to the limited resources available in this very poor country.
Thanks to funds from TNM (a Malawian telecommunications company), construction of the building has already begun. The unit will be part of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre.
The idea is for the unit to be staffed and run by Malawi colleagues with support and training (including exchanges) from the UK. We have logistical support from UCL in London (Stroke Research Centre), from Liverpool University (via the Wellcome Institute in Malawi) and from the Malawi government. We are excited by the collaborative opportunities this partnership will offer the stroke multi-disciplinary team, both in the UK and Malawi.
We need to raise money to:
- Buy essential equipment for the new stroke unit
- Run staff training programmes
We would be so grateful for your support.
For further information go to:
www.malawistrokeunit.org
@malawistroke1
Photo by Sam Sozela (@sparkling_photography_mw)
