Author: Dr. Chimwemwe Maluwa-Yairo

From Blantyre, Malawi, Dr. Chimwemwe Maluwa-Yairo tackles critical health challenges through innovative solutions. As a District Medical Officer for the Ministry of Health-Malawi, Chimwemwe plays a key role in ensuring high-quality healthcare delivery at Machinga District Hospital and across 22 primary-level health facilities. With her leadership, Chimwemwe guided her clinical team through major health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2023 cholera outbreak, and Cyclone Freddy, coordinating emergency response and outreach clinics. As chairperson of the Drug Therapeutic Committee, Chimwemwe ensured accurate budgeting, efficient procurement of medical supplies, and fostered essential partnerships with NGOs focused on impactful health initiatives. Notably, Chimwemwe led the implementation of a quality improvement project aimed at preventing hypoglycemia in premature babies, which increased the neonatal unit’s survival rate by 45%. Additionally, she launched the first-ever clinical team-building event at a government health facility in Malawi, fostering unprecedented teamwork and collaboration among healthcare professionals in the district. Throughout the fellowship, Chimwemwe aims to strengthen her leadership skills, focusing on strategic decision-making and health system management. She looks forward to collaborating with global health leaders and applying new approaches to improve health outcomes in Malawi.