Thank you for reducing child mortality in Malawi whilst increasing wellbeing and quality of life
Together, we raised over £360,000 including £175,964 of match funding from the UK government to create a world where every child with cancer has equal access to treatment and care.
In Malawi, only a quarter of the 1,100 children estimated to develop cancer each year will survive.
The identification of the early signs and symptoms of childhood cancer is a key aspect for early diagnosis. This is one of the main challenges due to the lack of health care worker training and knowledge on the early detection of childhood cancer in Malawi. The first contact for detection of cancer in the child is the primary health care facility which is typically a Community Hospital where there are no advanced means of diagnosis and investigation.
With the combined support of people like yourself and the UK government, we are halfway through our two-year ‘Reducing child mortality in Malawi whilst increasing wellbeing and quality of life’ project which is designed to address these factors.
Through UK Aid Match, for every £1 donated to the appeal by an individual living in the UK, the UK government match funded to support World Child Cancer’s project in Malawi – bringing the total amount raised to £363,543, including £175,964 of match funding from the UK government.
What has been achieved so far?
In the first year of the project, we have so far reached 473 children affected by childhood cancer, 1554 family members of children affected by childhood cancer, and trained 182 healthcare professionals.
- Early warning signs of childhood cancer training delivered – giving a greater capacity to detect and properly refer suspect cases
We have been delivering training on the early warning signs and symptoms of childhood cancer and referral routes to health workers covering 14 districts across Malawi. This was carried out with the coordination of Provincial Ministry of Health and Population, Health Directorate of the province and Health Office of the districts we directly address the challenge of diagnosis. 214 participants from District Hospitals were trained about the epidemiology of childhood cancer, early warning signs of childhood malignancy, management and referral of those suspected cases form their hospitals with group exercises included.
All the training is helping to increase the number of children referred for treatment, and earlier when their cancer is more treatable. We are strengthening the quality of treatment and care at the country’s main treatment centre, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) by training medics there, with the support of experienced paediatric oncologists from our partner, the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle.
- Increased capacity of healthcare professionals working at QECH (Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital) to effectively manage childhood cancer cases
Follow up visits play a key role in ensuring the continuation and completion of treatment for children with cancer. To help reduce the abandonment of treatment, the World Child Cancer Malawi team developed a standard procedure for patient follow-up to ensure effective and efficient outcomes for patient follow ups.
- Family Support
We are also strengthening the paediatric oncology department at QECH to support families, improve wellbeing and reduce treatment abandonment by integrating psychosocial support into the care package for children. The package includes transport grants, follow-up visits and support from a play therapist.
As has been demonstrated in World Child Cancer’s other programmes in countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh, families who are better able to access paediatric oncology treatment and support services will be less likely to abandon their child’s treatment. This will increase the child’s chance of a happy, healthy future.
Thanks to supporters like you, this project will strengthen the development of treatment and care closer to people’s homes throughout Malawi, improving access to childhood cancer treatment and care, and increasing childhood cancer survival rates in the long term.
Public donations and the UK government continue to fund other programmes in low- and middle-income countries around the world, so that we can create a world where every child with cancer has equal access to treatment and care.
Naa’s Story
We first met Naa in 2016 when she was diagnosed with Wilm’s Tumour at 7 years old. In 2021 the cancer returned and Naa underwent treatment again. She has battled cancer twice and is now back in school.
Read moreJoseph’s update
We first met Joseph in 2019 after he was diagnosed with Leukaemia. Find out more how he is doing after his successful treatment.
Read moreKayin’s story
Kayin was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma. He is now working as a carpenter and is feeling happy and strong.
Read moreRebecca’s Update
Read more about our catch-up with Rebecca after undergoing cancer treatment through World Child Cancer in Ghana six years ago.
Read moreHassan’s story
14-year-old Hassan from the Machinga district of Malawi was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) last year.
Read moreTiwo’s story
Five years after developing cancer and two years of treatment later, six-year-old Tiwo is doing well
Read moreDiscover More Stories…
Naa’s Story
We first met Naa in 2016 when she was diagnosed with Wilm’s Tumour at 7 years old. In 2021 the cancer returned and Naa underwent treatment again. She has battled cancer twice and is now back in school.
Read moreJoseph’s update
We first met Joseph in 2019 after he was diagnosed with Leukaemia. Find out more how he is doing after his successful treatment.
Read moreKayin’s story
Kayin was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma. He is now working as a carpenter and is feeling happy and strong.
Read moreRebecca’s Update
Read more about our catch-up with Rebecca after undergoing cancer treatment through World Child Cancer in Ghana six years ago.
Read moreHassan’s story
14-year-old Hassan from the Machinga district of Malawi was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) last year.
Read moreTiwo’s story
Five years after developing cancer and two years of treatment later, six-year-old Tiwo is doing well
Read moreFranklyn’s Story
Meet Franklyn, now 17, who is fully recovered from cancer and dreams of becoming a doctor to help others
Read moreRebecca’s Success Story
Rebecca is now able to return to school after undergoing cancer treatment through World Child Cancer in Ghana
Read moreMy road to recovery
Prince went on to become a childhood cancer advocate and help many other children just like him when he recovered from leukaemia. Read More
Read moreEstaphanie is excited to start university!
Meet Estaphanie, who is excited to start university after being forced to take time out of school following a cancer diagnosis
Read moreMeet Bulu
Bulu is looking forward to following in his brother’s footsteps getting back on the football field
Read moreMeet Oscar
Oscar was six years old when his mother noticed a swelling on his tummy and took him to a traditional village doctor
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