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Malawi is a poor country with few doctors. It has 21 district hospitals, all of which have operating theatres but none of which has a surgeon. Most district hospitals are manned by a single doctor and two or more paramedic clinical officers. In 2003, a total of 28,594 operations were performed in district hospitals. In all, 12,506 (44%) of these were obstetric or gynaecological procedures, but only 821 (3%) were general surgical cases. It appears that district clinicians are happy to attempt emergency obstetric and gynaecological cases but tend to refer emergency general surgical cases.

Original publication

DOI

10.1258/004947506777978208

Type

Journal article

Journal

Trop Doct

Publication Date

07/2006

Volume

36

Pages

158 - 160

Keywords

Cesarean Section, Dilatation and Curettage, Female, Health Care Surveys, Hospitals, District, Humans, Malawi, Surgical Procedures, Operative