Delivery of primary health care in Malawi

Abstract

Malawi is a landlocked country with a population of 17 million. The delivery of the health care system is based on primary health care (PHC). The PHC structures are acceptable; however, the system is marked by maldistribution of resources, fragmentation of services and shortage of staff. This hampers the function of the set, well-meaning PHC frameworks. Family medicine offers training and retention of the PHC and rural workforce, harnessing clinical governance and capacity building. Family medicine’s role extends to involve advocacy for the PHC to improve its performance.