ABC(Nursing) Malawi

‘Evidence-based practice requires expert knowledge; the training gave me the opportunity to interact with experts’

Interburns has worked in Malawi since 2009 and built strong links with individuals and institutions through quality improvement projects, training, faculty development and burn service assessments. Advanced Burn Care (Nursing) was held at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), Blantyre from 16th- 20th September 2024. 30 nurses from Malawi attended, from QECH, Kamuzu Central Hospital, Mzuzu Hospital and Zomba Hospital. 6 participants from Pakistan, Uganda and Tanzania attended from Peshawar Burn Centre, Jinnah Burn and Reconstructive Surgery Centre, Kiruddu National Hospital, and Bugando Hospital.

The course was led by Ziphilly Sichinga and a team of nurses all of whom had attended ABC(N) in the past as participants or faculty. A local surgeon and an anaesthetist also joined faculty for the week. This constituted the largest faculty from the Africa region ever on an ABC course and is testament to Interburns approach to improving burn care through focussing on capacity building and leadership development where it is most needed - on the ground in low resource settings.

The local team was supported by Interburns nurse lead (France) and volunteer faculty from Ghana (2), India (1), Sweden (1) and Wales (1) including nurses, physiotherapists, dieticians.

Before the course, staff at each participating hospital conducted service assessments using Interburns Delivery Assessment Tool (DAT), to understand strengths, gaps and weaknesses. The training includes a focus on planning and implementing achievable QI projects, informed by the DAT. The best ideas are selected for ongoing mentorship support. Interburns leads also delivered specialist training in rehabilitation and nutrition alongside the training.

Interburns would like to thank the management and staff of the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, particularly Dr Tilinde Chokotho, Deputy Clinical Head, Surgery Dept. and Dr Kelvin Mponda, Hospital Director, for their commitment and support before and throughout the week.

With thanks also to the following for enabling the training: The Welsh Government Wales and Africa Grant Scheme, Kentown Wizard Foundation. Also Resurge International, Weill Cornell Medicine, and the Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning (PILL) for their support.