For many Malawians, their first point of health-related services occurs within rural health centres. Unfortunately, research shows that these facilities are often burdened with a variety of inefficiencies that negatively affect their operation and impact patient outcomes. Despite ongoing efforts by Malawi’s Ministry of Health (MOH), NGO’s and private organizations, many rural communities are left without availability to adequate health care. The following research reviews the MOH standard health centre design to determine existing deficiencies and possible architectural design solutions. Through evidence-based analysis and a comprehensive literature review into variables shaping the current conditions of health care in Malawi, a proposal for a new health centre prototype addressing spatial organization, infection control methods, and environmental infrastructure is presented for the MOH and other agencies dedicated to increasing the availability to health care.

Students, faculty involved:

Student: Anothony Elia, Hutten Moyer, Soloman Newman, Matthew Scharff
Faculty: Chris Harnish

Partner organizations:
Ministry of Health