The experience of the District Health Management Team members with Cyclone Freddy 2023, in two Districts of Malawi.
1
Public Health, University of the Western Cape, CaPe Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The health risks and harms caused by climate change’s extreme weather events, such as floods, are becoming rampant. They destroy infrastructure, increase the spread of infectious diseases, exacerbate the breeding of disease vectors, and destroy crops, leading to unbearable health outcomes. We conducted this study to explore the experiences of District Health Management Teams with the effects of Cyclone Freddy in Malawi.
METHODS:
This was a descriptive qualitative study conducted in rural (Phalombe) and urban (Blantyre) districts of Malawi. Key Informant Interviews with District Health Management Teams were conducted. The study participants were identified using purposive sampling techniques. Thematic data analysis was used using Atlas.ti software.
RESULTS:
Fifteen in-depth interviews were conducted with the members of the District Health Management Teams. Three themes emerged from the study: effects of Cyclone Freddy on the health system, response strategies, and challenges faced when responding to Cyclone Freddy. The effects of Cyclone Freddy on the district health systems include destruction of health infrastructure, increased demand for healthcare services and supplies, disruption of health information system networks, overstretched health workers, and psychological and mental health challenges. Response strategies included the recruitment and deployment of temporary and surge health workers, the establishment of temporary shelters, the use of mobile and outreach clinics, and collaboration with partners. Challenges faced include limited access to facilities, a shortage of staff, and limited space for service provision.
CONCLUSIONS:
In conclusion, health systems must be strengthened to improve their performance and effectively respond to protect community members. The lessons learnt from this study lay a foundation for policymakers to explore possible means of strengthening the health system to adapt and be resilient. More studies should be conducted on the impact of the floods on healthcare access and health system’s economic losses associated with extreme weather events such as floods.
The health risks and harms caused by climate change’s extreme weather events, such as floods, are becoming rampant. They destroy infrastructure, increase the spread of infectious diseases, exacerbate the breeding of disease vectors, and destroy crops, leading to unbearable health outcomes. We conducted this study to explore the experiences of District Health Management Teams with the effects of Cyclone Freddy in Malawi.
METHODS:
This was a descriptive qualitative study conducted in rural (Phalombe) and urban (Blantyre) districts of Malawi. Key Informant Interviews with District Health Management Teams were conducted. The study participants were identified using purposive sampling techniques. Thematic data analysis was used using Atlas.ti software.
RESULTS:
Fifteen in-depth interviews were conducted with the members of the District Health Management Teams. Three themes emerged from the study: effects of Cyclone Freddy on the health system, response strategies, and challenges faced when responding to Cyclone Freddy. The effects of Cyclone Freddy on the district health systems include destruction of health infrastructure, increased demand for healthcare services and supplies, disruption of health information system networks, overstretched health workers, and psychological and mental health challenges. Response strategies included the recruitment and deployment of temporary and surge health workers, the establishment of temporary shelters, the use of mobile and outreach clinics, and collaboration with partners. Challenges faced include limited access to facilities, a shortage of staff, and limited space for service provision.
CONCLUSIONS:
In conclusion, health systems must be strengthened to improve their performance and effectively respond to protect community members. The lessons learnt from this study lay a foundation for policymakers to explore possible means of strengthening the health system to adapt and be resilient. More studies should be conducted on the impact of the floods on healthcare access and health system’s economic losses associated with extreme weather events such as floods.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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