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Malawi: supporting sex workers to access healthcare

Malawi

A sex worker from Zalewa waits to be seen by Christine Muntali, MSF's sexual and reproductive health nurse supervisor, in the ambulance. MSF provides family planning services and medication to prevent sexually transmitted diseases to women. Malawi, October 2023.
© Diego Menjibar

We run a comprehensive programme to screen, diagnose, and treat cervical cancer in Blantyre, which accounts for 40 per cent of all cancers among women in Malawi. We also support key medical services for sex workers, such as sexual reproductive healthcare, screening services, and HIV prevention in Dedza and Zalewa.

Our activities in 2024 in Malawi

Data and information from the International Activity Report 2024.

MSF in Malawi in 2024 In Malawi, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) runs a project to improve preventive and curative care for cervical cancer. The country has one of the highest death rates for the disease in the world.[1]
Malawi IAR map 2024
Country map for the IAR 2024.
© MSF

In Malawi’s second-largest city, Blantyre, and the surrounding district, we have worked closely with the health authorities to implement a comprehensive programme that comprises prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as palliative care, for cervical cancer. The disease accounts for almost 40 per cent of all cancers among women in Malawi, and kills over 2,000 each year.[2]

Based in Queen Elizabeth Central hospital in Blantyre, our services include outpatient treatment for pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions, surgery, chemotherapy, and home-based palliative care for patients in the advanced stages of the disease. Patient-centred activities, such as mental health support, education sessions, physiotherapy, and social support, are also part of our programme.  

Prior to 2024, we had to refer patients requiring radiotherapy to facilities in Kenya, as it was not available in Malawi. However, in March, a private radiotherapy centre opened in Blantyre, meaning that patients can now be treated closer to home.  

Cervical cancer screening units are integrated into 10 Ministry of Health health centres in Blantyre and Chiradzulu districts, and a mobile screening team also works in Chiradzulu.

In additionto our specialist cervical cancer programme, we work alongside two community-based organisations run by people who engage in sex work in Dedza and Zalewa, providing close-to-home sexual and reproductive health services through mobile outreach clinics. We provide screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, cervical cancer screening, contraceptives, information about preventive services for HIV, such as pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis, and mental health counselling.

[1] Ministry of Health - https://www.iccp-portal.org/sites/default/files/plans/Malawi%20Cervical%20Cancer%20Strategic%20Plan_2022-2026-%20Final%20Print%20Ready%20Version%2016.12.2021%5B1796%5D.pdf 

[2] Ministry of Health - https://www.iccp-portal.org/sites/default/files/plans/Malawi%20Cervical%20Cancer%20Strategic%20Plan_2022-2026-%20Final%20Print%20Ready%20Version%2016.12.2021%5B1796%5D.pdf 

 

in 2024
 
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Press Release 14 Mar 2023
 
A day at Blantyre cervical cancer referral hospital
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Three things to know about cervical cancer in Malawi

Interview 3 Feb 2023
 
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Press Release 3 Feb 2021
 
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Malawi is overwhelmed by second wave of COVID-19

Interview 27 Jan 2021