The analogy “give a man a fish or teach a man to fish,” demonstrates the essential role training can play in global health. When a doctor takes care of one child, that care is for one child only. But when a doctor can train other doctors to care for young patients, more children gain access to life-saving care. Over time, this can exponentially lead to improved health outcomes.
Malawi, with its population of 19 million, has approximately 40 pediatricians in the entire country. Dr. Tisu Mvalo, associate professor of pediatric medicine, was among the first pediatricians, and today he practices at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KZH) in Lilongwe, through UNC Project-Malawi.
KCH’s inpatient pediatric ward provides care for 15,000-20,000 admitted patients per year. They present with the most common diagnoses among these admitted patients is malaria, pneumonia, and sepsis.
“Tisu is very loyal to UNC. He is living proof that UNC’s dedication to the development of global faculty pays off, both at home and in the field,” said Irving Hoffman, PA, MPH, Director of International Operations for the Institute for Global Health & Infectious Diseases (IGHID).
Read more from the UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases.