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Improving health in Malawi: MaiMwana Project (UCL)

1,605 views · Published 10 August 2010 · 4:11 · Indexed 22 September 2026

Channel: UCL · 2010 · Education

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UCL is hosting an exhibition of photographs chronicling the university's involvement in a project to improve mother and and child health in rural Africa.

The UCL Centre for International Health and Development established the MaiMwana Project in Malawi in 2002.

Maternal mortality in the country is among the highest in the world and neonatal mortality is also high and accounts for almost half of all infant deaths. 

High mortality rates are partly a result of poor health care for mothers and their children thanks to a lack of drugs and supplies, high turnover of health service providers, variable service quality and lack of ownership by local communities.

The MaiMwana Project aims to reduce mother and child mortality and morbidity by mobilising women's groups in local communities to take control of their own health issues. See the UCL video 'Umodzi' for more information and a subtitled video. 

Thanks to the award of a Beacon Bursary from UCL, these groups have used disposable cameras to document the impact the project is having on their lives.

UCL is consistently ranked as one of the world's very best universities. As a multi-faculty, research-intensive university in central London, our research helps tackle global challenges and feeds directly into outstanding degree programmes. Visit us at www.ucl.ac.uk

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