In Malawi our central hospitals as opposed to district hospitals have information resource centres. However, they are not run by medical librarians. While it is appreciated in other countries that medical librarians are an integral part of the health care system and that they have a direct impact on the quality of care, by helping physicians, allied health professionals and researchers to stay abreast of new developments in their specilty areas, in Malawi the personnel are at the level of clerks far from the profession. In fact the career progression for librarians in the civil service in Malawi does not accomodate Medical Librarians at a level of bachelor or masters level capable of running the so called 'libraries'.
Patrick Mapulanga, PhD.
Senior Assistant Librarian
Kamuzu College of Nursing | Private Bag 1, Lilongwe
Mobile: +265 888 855 528/+265 991 324 305
HIFA profile: Patrick Mapulanga is a Librarian at the University of Malawi, Kamuzu College of Nursing, Malawi. Professional interests: Health Research and Policy making. Email address: pmapulanga AT kcn.unima.mw
