Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world with a GDP per capita of $290 in 2008. The country has made significant strides in
child health in recent years with a reduction in its under-5 mortality rate, but it still lags behind in many important health indicators.
- Pneumonia
- 52% under-5's taken to appropriate provider
- 30% received antibiotics
- Diarrhea
- 27% under-5's receiving ORS and continued feeding
- Malnutrition
- 15% under-5's moderate or severe underweight
- 3% under-5's severe underweight
- 4% under-5's moderate or severe wasting
- 53% under-5's moderate or severe stunting
- TB
- Good BCG coverage rate at 1 year of 97%, but very limited diagnostic capacity and treatment options in country
- Malaria
- 25% under-5's sleeping under ITN
- 25% under-5's with fever receiving anti-malarials
The most recent estimate of national HIV prevalence was 11.9% from a national survey done at ANC clinics, down from an estimate of
14.1% in 2005. This corresponds to an estimated 930,000 Malawians living with HIV in 2007; 93,000 were children 0-14 years.
There were an estimated 550,000 orphans aged 0-17 years secondary to HIV in 2007. Maternal to child transmission rates are still high,
reflecting operational challenges in prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) program uptake and implementation. A PEPFAR report from
2008 estimated 67,500 HIV-infected women received some type of PMTCT intervention, but only 5,000 of them actually received ARV prophylaxis.
The Malawi Ministry of Health estimated over 12,000 new pediatric HIV infections in 2010. This represents a falling pediatric incidence
rate, but adult incidence is projected to increase from 70,000 new infections in 2010 to more than 12,000 in 2012.