A Lifeline for Malawi’s Health

The work of Chisomo Tumeo

It is with heartfelt gratitude and a sense of urgency that we share the story of me Chisomo Tumeo, a devoted clinical technician whose tireless work is transforming the health and futures of thousands of Malawians particularly those in Mangochi district where I’m currently residing. My unwavering commitment to healthcare, especially for the most vulnerable, has made me a beacon of hope in a country where access to quality care remains a distant dream for many. In this profile, I’m invite you to learn about Chisomo Tumeo’s life, the challenges we face, and why your continued support is so crucial to the success of this life-changing work.

Chisomo Tumeo’s journey into medicine is one of profound personal motivation. Born in Malawi on August 10, 1985, in a family of 6 children, 2 girls and 4 boys, I grew up witnessing firsthand the painful realities of a healthcare system that struggled to meet the needs of the most vulnerable. The children, the mothers, the elderly—they all suffered because of the lack of access to basic healthcare services. It was this reality that ignited a passion in me to become a medical practitioner. With determination, I earned my Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Certificate in Mental Health in 2007 at Malawi Adventist University.

Chisomo Tumeo gives his all for people’s health in Malawi.

Later, in 2011, by the grace of God and with help from my beloved friend / sister from another mother Ute, I was awarded a scholarship to do vocational training in mental health in Germany from April to October 2011 under Germany government which I did. I worked with ministry of health Malawi for 12 years then I resigned.

My commitment to the community goes beyond medical training. My calling is to provide not only care but also hope—to be the medical practitioner who listens, the one who offers comfort and answers in the face of uncertainty. My vision is simple: to make healthcare accessible to all, especially in Malawi’s rural and underserved areas.

With this vision and passion, i opened my own private clinic to provide affordable medical services for underprivileged people in Mangochi district and surrounding villages. I’m result oriented, Self-motivated, with ability to deal with people from a variety of back grounds, priorities own workload and meet deadlines, flexible to adopt different tasks/roles as required with high degree of personal integrity. A counselor with an in depth understanding of providing HIV counseling and testing ,conducting quality assurance and quality control in counseling, writing monthly and quarterly reports as required, linkage to ARVs. Able to work independently or as part of a team within cross-cultural environments, leadership skills, facilitation and organizational skills with attention paid to fine detail.

My day to day work as a clinical technician ( medical practitioner ) involves counseling , examining patients ,assess symptoms , record medical history, diagnose illnesses and injuries, perform diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, perform basic medical procedures, prescribing medications, referring patients to specialist, promote health education, give appropriate health advices, administer medications.

TuTu Clinic: A Lifeline for Thousands

In 2019, I opened TuTu Clinic in the heart of my community. What began as a small practice has blossomed into a comprehensive healthcare center, serving 38,900 people in need. With a team of 9 clinic employees and 5 community health workers, TuTu Clinic provides essential services ranging from outpatient care, anti-retroviral therapy, immunization, and family planning, HIV testing and counseling, dental care, and maternal services, youth friendly health services, under five children services, voluntary male medical circumcision, laboratory services. For many, TuTu Clinic is the only place they can turn to for care, and it is a place where they are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect. The clinic has become a cornerstone of health in a community where healthcare facilities are scarce, and every day, i and my team work tirelessly to provide life-saving care, often in the face of overwhelming challenges.

How Chisomo Joined Forces with Ute, CLS

Consultation with Chisomo Tumeo.

In 2019, my path crossed with that of the Christian-Liebig-Foundation (CLS) when Ute Woratsch, now a board member of CLS, recognized a critical gap in health education among the girls in CLS-supported schools. Knowing the importance of health education in breaking the cycle of poverty and poor health, Ute invited me to conduct health workshops at CLF schools. This partnership marked the beginning of an extraordinary collaboration—one focused on addressing some of the most urgent health challenges facing young people in Malawi today.

CLS and I share a vision: to empower communities through education, prevention, and access to healthcare. Together, we have been able to bring health workshops to schools and communities, focusing on critical topics such as hygiene, disease prevention, mental health, and sexual and reproductive health . The work they are doing is not just about treating illness—it’s about giving people the tools to stay healthy, thrive, and live their lives with hope.

The Stark Reality of Health Challenges in Malawi

The challenges Malawi faces in healthcare are immense and often overwhelming. In rural areas, where most of the population lives, access to health services is a distant dream. There are too few clinics, too few doctors, and too few resources to meet the needs of the people. For many Malawians, the nearest health facility is miles away, often requiring a long and dangerous journey to receive the care they need.

Beyond these logistical barriers lies a more complex challenge: Limited access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services. Adolescents, particularly young girls, are some of the most vulnerable members of society. Many face early marriages, teen pregnancies, and unsafe sexual practices, often without the knowledge or resources to protect themselves. Cultural practices and social norms make it difficult for them to access sexual and reproductive health services, leading to devastating consequences such as maternal deaths, unsafe abortions, and a cycle of poverty and ill-health.

The following are also among the most serious problems facing the health sector in Malawi: many people have no access to health services; there are weak management systems at all levels of the health delivery system; there is inadequate financing of health services; there are poor linkages with traditional medicine; there is high infant mortality and maternal mortality; there is widespread malnutrition among children; there is poor quality of health services at all levels of the health delivery system; and there is a high incidence of the HIV/AlDS, pandemic which has resulted in serious social, economic and health problems. Malawi has a high unmet need for family planning services (26 percent), with acute needs among young people. Close to one million people in the country live with HIV, with approximately 34,000 new infections each year. Even with the gains in child health, 37 percent of Malawian children suffer from chronic malnutrition. Malawi is a high-burden malaria country with an incidence rate of 332 cases annually per every 1,000 people and approximately 4.8 million episodes of malaria per year. Over a third of established positions in the health sector are vacant and there is a perpetual shortage of qualified health workers in facilities across the country. Such tremendous health challenges combined with constrained economic resources, and marginalized women and youth place a significant burden on the health system.

There is a high degree of risk for major infectious diseases, including bacterial and diarrhea, hepatitis B, typhoid fever, malaria, schistosomiasis and rabies.

At least 573,000 children under five are at risk of suffering from malnutrition in Malawi. Despite recent progress in reducing chronic malnutrition, acute food insecurity—compounded by recurrent climate shocks, preventable disease outbreaks, economic instability, and chronic underfunding in the social sectors — threatens to reverse past gains. Food insecurity, exasperated by a growing climate crisis, disease outbreaks, and the global economic downturn, is threatening to wreak havoc and disrupt the lives of millions of children. An increase in malnutrition cases among children in Malawi over the last five years, with the challenge accelerating significantly in recent months.

In 2023 alone, it is estimated that over 62,000 children, aged between 6 to 59 months, are at risk of severe acute malnutrition (SAM), often called wasting. Without increased support, poor and vulnerable households with children will be left without access to basic services, essential supplies, and social assistance. Malnourished children, particularly those with severe acute malnutrition, have a higher risk of death from common childhood illness such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, and malaria. Under nutrition in women and children remains a persistent public health and development challenge in Malawi.

The clinic of Chisomo Tumeo.

Socio-economic factors also play a significant role in the challenges facing Malawi’s education system. Poverty is widespread, with many families struggling to afford necessities. Although primary education is free, associated costs such as uniforms, learning materials, and transportation can be prohibitive.

Factors affecting pupils in education are family problems impact more than one aspect of students’ lives, but it has a substantial effect on their mental health condition. The emotional toll of witnessing family disputes, experiencing financial stress, or enduring the strain of broken relationships can be overwhelming for young minds. Mental health is crucial for academic success. When family problems disrupt the emotional well-being of students, it becomes a formidable barrier to their educational journey. In Malawi, there is a growing recognition of the need to address mental health concerns among students, with initiatives aimed at providing counseling services and creating a supportive environment within educational institutions.Choosing a career path can be daunting for students. They may face pressure to choose a specific field based on societal expectations or financial considerations, leading to confusion and feelings of uncertainty about their future. Not all students have equal access to quality education and resources. Factors like socioeconomic background, geographical location, and access to technology can create disparities in learning opportunities and academic support. Teacher shortages and overcrowded classrooms also play a factor in this. This can limit students’ access to personalized attention and support. This can make it difficult for students to receive the specific guidance and assistance they need to thrive academically. The rising cost of education and increased living expenses can create significant financial burdens for students. This can lead to stress, anxiety, and even the difficult decision to forgo educational opportunities due to financial constraints.

Lack of role models and mentors for girls in schools, inadequate sanitation facilities for girls; sexual harassment of girls by male teachers and boy colleagues; poor relationship between the teachers and among the students themselves; gender-biased classroom practice.

Young people in Malawi face many challenges to their health, education, employment, empowerment, participation and overall wellbeing. Guiding young people into a healthy and productive adulthood is not only vital to their wellbeing, but also critical for the social and economic development of Malawi itself.

The reality is heart-wrenching. Adolescents who fall pregnant too young often face not only health risks but a lifetime of limited opportunities. Early marriages rob girls of their childhoods, their education, and their futures. And yet, many of these challenges are preventable with education, health services, and support.

The clinic was founded by Chisomo Tumeo.

Why Chisomo’s Work Matters—And Why Your Support is Crucial

The clinic of Chisomo Tumeo.

Chisomo’s work is changing lives—and it is making a difference right now. By collaborating with CLS and Ute, Chisomo is bringing much-needed health education to young people, especially girls, and providing them with the knowledge they need to protect their health.

Through CLS’s health workshops, adolescents are learning about hygiene, disease prevention, family planning, and sexual health in an environment that is safe, supportive, and empowering. But the work doesn’t stop there. The future of Malawi’s healthcare depends on continuing to break down barriers—barriers of access, education, and stigma.

The work Chisomo and CLS are doing is helping to build a foundation for long-term change. Through these efforts, they are not only providing healthcare but creating a ripple effect that will lead to healthier families, stronger communities, and a brighter future for the next generation. However, none of this is possible without the ongoing support of generous donors like you. Your contributions ensure that more children stay in school, more girls have access to reproductive health services, and more people in rural areas can receive the care they desperately need. Your support is the reason why Chisomo’s work continues to thrive and why the partnership with CLS can expand even further.

Looking Ahead: The Need for Continued Collaboration

The road ahead is long, but there is hope. With continued support, Chisomo and CLS can expand their health programs to reach even more schools and communities. Together, they aim to continue addressing the health needs of adolescents and young people, especially through youth-friendly services and sexual and reproductive health education. Their shared vision is to see a future where healthcare is accessible to all, where young people can grow up healthy, empowered, and ready to lead their communities.

A Call to Action

We invite you to stand with Chisomo, Ute, with CLS, and with the people of Malawi. Your support—whether through donations, advocacy, or raising awareness—makes all the difference. Together, we can ensure that the work started by Ute and Chisomo continues to grow, creating lasting change for future generations.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to improving lives in Malawi. Your support is not just helping to save lives today—it’s laying the groundwork for a healthier, brighter tomorrow for all.

With deepest appreciation.

Picture: Chisomo Tumeo