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Initiating and developing clinical services, training and research in a low resource setting: the Malawi ENT
Wakisa Mulwafu1, Thomas Elliot Nyirenda2, Johannes J Fagan3
1ENT Surgeon and Head of Unit, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Malawi.
Background:
Sub-Saharan Africa countries like Malawi have a paucity of ear, nose and throat (ENT) data, services and training opportunities.
Objective:
To reflect on new Malawian ENT experience and to propose guidelines to poorly resourced countries.
Design:
Analysis of data predating and following establishment of ENT services in Malawi.
Results:
In 2008 the first and only Malawian ENT specialist established ENT services with external funding. Fifteen clinical officers have been trained and a nurse placed at each outreach hospital. In 2012, 15,284 consultations were recorded: 543 (3.6%) from outreach clinics. Forty-nine percent needed medical treatment, while 45% needed medical advice. Surgery was performed on 2.7% of patients; 21% for foreign bodies in the nose and throat and 18% for foreign bodies and biopsies of ears.
Conclusions:
To establish accessible and sustainable specialist ENT services in a poor country requires building on an established local health delivery system, careful planning and investment in personnel, infrastructure, training and data collection.
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