The growing population demands high quality and affordable health services. The acute and complex human resource challenges related to public health staff is responsible for low standard delivery services in Malawi. Various strategies are being initiated to overcome these challenges by government or non-government organisation in collaboration with private sector.
Public Health Scenario in Malawi
Malawi is faced with double burden of non-communicable and communicable diseases. The factors influencing health status are lifestyle and behavioural physical parameters that adversely affect health status, for example lack of exercise, alcohol and drug abuse, unsafe sex, etc.; environmental burden related to safe water, sanitation and vector control, safe housing and work environments; delivery of health and social services; mental and spiritual health; gender based violence and child abuse; limited access to education, socio-cultural factors and level of education. Some cultural norms and practices have shown to contribute to unsafe behaviour that causes sexual and reproductive health risks along with affecting access to timely health services and key commodities.
Strategies and programs have been developed related to outcome measures and treatment regimes to deal with adverse health conditions. The need for opportunistic screening and treatment using effective and affordable drugs has been recognised. Free of charge health packages and interventions have been delivered to Malawians to improve public health. The health conditions targeted are malnutrition; malaria; tuberculosis; sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like HIV/AIDS; vaccine preventable diseases; acute respiratory infections (ARIs); Schistosomiasis; diarrhoeal diseases; ear, nose, skin infections and other common injuries. This has resulted in decline in the maternal and child mortality rate; expanded vacancies and staffing levels; improved availability of drugs and other medical supplies, immunisation programs and overall healthcare service delivery.
Online Master in Public Health (MPH) program in Malawi
Online learning has revolutionised higher education due to advantages of affordable education that can be obtained at an individuals own pace and time. An integral part of such courses is the e-learning design and institutional commitment to develop skilled individuals with ability of problem solving and critical analysis. Master of Public Health (MPH) provides wide range of opportunities that influence healthcare services and policies. Masters course in Public health supports development of experts to plan, evaluate and implement policy and practice based initiatives. These public health professionals implement and lead a positive change in public health across the globe. It addresses wide range of public health issues that arise in diverse cultures, environment and settings. A critical understanding of research methods and epidemiological investigation can help to gain public health knowledge.
Online MPHprogram is available at James Lind Institute (JLI) conducted in collaboration with the International Telematic University UNINETTUNO, Italy (UTIU). Thisdual online degree program of 1 to 1.5 years allows specialisation in Tropical Medicine; Public Health Research; Healthcare and Hospital Management; Surveillance and Immunization; etc. The MPH program develops the knowledge base of students to efficiently perform in the public health enterprise and help improve quality of life through preventive measures; deliver quality health services; deal with emerging public health issues or concerns and healthcare reforms. The benefits of such courses include knowledge and advanced skills developed to lead in the field of public health; the knowledge and research practice imparted helps meet changing demands of public health; and provides ability to exercise creative programme planning and decision making.
The career opportunities in public health include leadership roles in public or private sector like healthcare institutions, hospitals or companies; local, state or federal roles in health department policy planning and management; research roles at universities or health institutions; health advocacy or policy planning positions in international non-government organisations. Other positions are available in project coordination, program management, health education, communities and health planning, health economics, epidemiology and biostatistics, health promotion and disease prevention, global health and human rights, policy development and environmental health.
Online Course in Public health
James Lind Institute (JLI) provides an online program – Masters in Public Health (MPH) which improves the prospects of securing a public health job in Malawi.
For more information please visit: www.jliedu.com
