YOU can help Malawi!

If you are still with me on this blog, you care about public health and perhaps my thoughts on public health. Please visit my blog on IntraHealth's site to see what I'm currently working on - a partnership with GlobalGiving to raise funds for tuition for health workers in Malawi. I know when you hear fundraising you think big bucks but in this case, small donations or microdonations are gleefully accepted. Even better, all of your donations are matched! So you if you give $50 - it's like giving $100! It's an easy, innovative solution to helping train a critical cadre of health workers in a country with a serious shortage of healthcare professionals.

Check this out immediately!

http://www.intrahealth.org/page/small-sums-incredible-impacts-microdonation-challenge-to-support-health-worker-education-in-malawi-

So why Malawi? Here are some facts:

- For every 1,000 live births, 120 children under the age of five will die. In the United States, the probability is that only 8 out of 1,000 children will die before the age of five.

- It is estimated that between 700,000 and 1.1 million people in Malawi are living with HIV, or 11 to 18% of the population. This is among the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world. Only 34% of women and 41% of men in the country have knowledge of HIV prevention methods.

- Malaria is a huge problem for Malawi's population. An estimated 3 million people are treated each year. Malaria is the main of morbidity and mortality, especially among young children and pregnant women. Malaria has long been eradicated in the United States.

- Only 54% of births are attended by skilled birth attendants.

- Life expectancy is 53 years compared with the global average of 68 years

By increasing qualified human resources in Malawi's health sector, skilled resources will be on hand to help treat malaria, HIV and TB. Children under five stand a better chance of receiving care if they suffer from pneumonia or diarrhea. Pregnant women and families will have greater access to antenatal care and family planning counseling. Clearly, training more healthcare workers in Malawi will lead to a healthier population.

If I've already persuaded you to donate, here is the direct link:

http://goto.gg/6215