Village Clinic Transformed Child Health in Mtambwa

By Harold Munthali,

Lilongwe District Program Manager, World Vision Malawi.

In the heart of Mtambwa village, under Traditional Authority Chitekwere in Nkhoma Area Programme, stands a structure that is quietly revolutionizing health care for children. This is a village clinic built with the support of World Vision USA.

For years, health services in Mtambwa were far out of reach. Caregivers had to walk up to 14 kilometres to the nearest health centre, and sick children often went untreated beyond the critical 24-hour window. 

Things however changed when WVM constructed a new village clinic. The facility also included a residential house for the Health Surveillance Assistant (HSA).

Mr. Francis Dule, a Health Surveillance Assistant for Mtambwa village clinic, reflected on how life has changed since the clinic was built.

“Previously, I had to travel over 50 kilometres from Nathenje to reach this facility. It was costly and exhausting. It was hard to deliver services to the community every day. This defeated the whole essence of the village clinic model, which is to treat sick children within 24 hours,” he explained.

Dule continues that with the residential house built as part of the clinic, he now lives within his catchment area. He is able to even attend to children at night. 

“Access to health care has significantly improved, and children no longer need to travel long distances for treatment,” he adds.

For mothers such as Chiyembekeza,  27 and mother to a six months’ old Joseph, the clinic has been a game-changer.

“World Vision has done a lot for our community. They built this beautiful clinic where women and children can get medical services at any time.  Every time we want to practice family planning we just come here and get the services. Now we can no longer continue having babies without planning properly and we no longer weigh our children under a tree,” she says.

Chisomo Chiyembekeza explains that during last year’s cholera outbreak, they gave every household with P&G sachets of water purifier. Trained health volunteers wouldvisit their homes and taught them the significance of seeking care early. 

“We now understand the importance of using mosquito nets and taking children to the clinic promptly, narrates Chiyembekeza.

This clinic is just one of many investments World Vision has made in Nkhoma AP. 

With support from World Vision USA, the programme has constructed 4 village clinics, 1 HIV testing centre, and 3 Youth Resource Centres, supported 12 clinics with regular supplies and supervision and promoted early health-seeking behaviors and community health volunteerism.

According to statistics, stunting among under-five children has declined from 51.1% in 2007 to 22.2% in 2024. This has improved the wellbeing of children in Mtambwa and across Nkhoma AP by making sure that they healthy status is improved.