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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Charles Pensulo in Lilongwe

‘Bring your own syringe’: Malawi’s medical supplies shortage at crisis point

A midwife listens to an unborn baby's heartbeat at Mauwa Health Centre labour ward, in Chiradzulu, southern Malawi
A midwife listens to an unborn baby's heartbeat at a health centre labour ward in Chiradzulu, southern Malawi. Photograph: Thoko Chikondi/AP

Health workers in Malawi claim the government is “ignoring” acute shortages of drugs and equipment that are crippling the country’s hospitals.

Patients have been asked to bring in their own syringes while the theatre and labour ward at the main Bwaila maternity hospital in the capital, Lilongwe – has faced temporary closures because “we don’t have equipment/supplies to work with”, according to a notice pasted to a wall. Regular power cuts are also impacting.

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