MANGOCHI, Malawi – Nearly 20 newborn babies die every month at Mangochi District Hospital, raising concerns about the pressure facing maternal and newborn healthcare services.

Senior Nursing and Midwifery Officer Ignasio Jowasi disclosed that the hospital handles between 1,200 and 1,800 deliveries monthly, with as many as 100 pregnant women attending daily.

The facility conducts approximately 60 deliveries within 24 hours and provides care to around 50 babies in its nursery ward.

The figures highlight the demand for specialised newborn care and the challenges facing health workers at the hospital.

A project funded by the French Embassy, with technical support from Nutrition International, is targeting improved maternal, newborn and child health services in Mangochi and Mzimba North. The initiative is expected to run until July 2027.