Malawi
Malawi is a small landlocked country in southeastern Africa with a young and rapidly growing population. While access to basic healthcare has improved in recent decades, many children with hydrocephalus are still not identified or referred for treatment in time. Early diagnosis and neurosurgical care are essential to survival, yet specialized services are limited and concentrated in only a few referral hospitals. As a result, many children never reach care and die from a condition that is treatable.
NeuroKids began its work in Malawi in 2025 at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, one of the country’s major referral centers for pediatric surgical care. The partnership is led by Dr. Patrick Kamalo, a pediatric neurosurgeon who has been treating children with hydrocephalus for more than 15 years. Earlier in his career, Dr. Kamalo trained in Uganda, where he gained experience performing the Warf procedure (ETV/CPC).
Today Dr. Kamalo serves in a hospital leadership role and is helping strengthen pediatric neurosurgical care in Malawi. Through the NeuroKids partnership, he is mentoring neurosurgeons and surgical residents at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital who are developing the skills needed to diagnose and treat hydrocephalus.
Malawi also presents an opportunity to strengthen early detection and referral for children with hydrocephalus. The country has a nationwide network of community health workers who play an important role in maternal and child health and could help identify children with neurological conditions earlier and connect families to referral centers.
By working closely with the health system, local surgeons, and community partners, NeuroKids is helping build a sustainable foundation for pediatric neurosurgical care in Malawi so more children with hydrocephalus can be identified early and receive life-saving treatment.
Number of children who have received hydrocephalus surgeries since NeuroKids intervention
12 Children
Since 2025
Partner Hospitals
B L A N T Y R E
Malawi Team
Dr. Patrick Kamalo
NEUROSURGEON
Dr. Yollam Makanjira
NEUROSURGEON
Dr. Yollam Makanjira is a neurosurgeon at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. He trained at the University of Malawi, College of Medicine, and qualified as a neurosurgery consultant through COSECSA in 2025.
He cares for both children and adults with a broad range of neurosurgical conditions, and contributes to the management of over 200 cases of pediatric hydrocephalus annually at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.
He has a particular interest in complex cranial procedures and is committed to improving access to safe, timely neurosurgical care in Malawi.
Dorothy Mwangalika
CLINICAL COORDINATOR
Dorothy Mwangalika is the Clinical Coordinator at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Malawi, where she supports children with hydrocephalus and their families throughout their care journey. A registered pediatric nurse with a bachelor’s degree in Pediatric Nursing, Dorothy brings extensive experience working in the hospital’s neurosurgery operating theatre.
In her role, Dorothy coordinates care for children undergoing treatment for hydrocephalus, including collecting patient data, providing health education, offering psychosocial support to children and caregivers, and following up with families after ETV/CPC or shunt procedures. She is passionate about ensuring every child receives compassionate, holistic care while helping families navigate treatment with confidence and support.
Get Support
NeuroKids partners with local public and private children’s hospitals and individual surgeons to help build the skills and systems to better address hydrocephalus and spina bifida.
We train and support neurosurgeons in The Warf procedure using today’s technology to close the gap in surgical training and promote best practices in treatment and care. Through both in-person and remote technology, as well as equipment and supplies, we ensure practical training at scale, saving time and money.
Please reach out to learn how we can support your hospital with pediatric neurosurgical training and supplies, enabling your team to provide proven services and ensure children with hydrocephalus and spinal bifida receive the most effective care.
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Donate now and join us in our mission to make it possible for children with hydrocephalus and spina bifida to live longer and better lives. Together, we can make a difference that lasts a lifetime.
