Malawi

Översikt

Malawi is a poor, landlocked country in southern Africa, which suffers from endemic corruption and political fragility. The accession of Peter Mutharika to the presidency in May 2014 marked an emphatic popular rejection of Malawi’s political status quo, with the incumbent, Joyce Banda, ousted from power. As Mutharika seeks to shore up his nascent regime, a series of appointments has raised questions over his political impartiality and ability to recalibrate the state and economy in a more effective manner.

Since the “Cashgate” scandal of 2013, donor aid has remained frozen and popular anger is growing over perpetually poor economic conditions, which poses a threat of protest and instability in the short to medium term. Strikes are already underway in many areas of the public sector.

Hälsa, sjukdomar och vaccination

It is advisable to consult a travel health specialist or general practitioner (GP) to obtain the latest information about 4 to 8 weeks before departing for Malawi.

Polio, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) and Tetanus-diphtheria vaccinations should be up to date. Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid and Yellow fever immunisations are recommended. A Rabies vaccine is recommended for those at high risk of animal bites or long-term travellers. A Yellow Fever vaccination is required if arriving from an infected area.

Malaria is endemic to Malawi; prophylaxis is recommended for all travellers. Lariam, Malarone or Doxycycline should be used. Your local doctor should be consulted and information will be given about any possible adverse reactions. Insect protection measures are essential.

Travellers’ diarrhoea is the most common health problem. As such, all travellers should bring anti-diarrheal drugs, as well as oral rehydration salts. Personal and food hygiene precautions should be taken.

There are regular Cholera outbreaks in Malawi. These are linked to contaminated water supplies. This often occurs in urban centres including Blantyre and Lilongwe. Dozens of deaths are regularly recorded. As such stringent water hygiene is a must.

Schistosomiasis associated with exposure to bodies of fresh water, including Lake Malawi, is also a concern.

Tap water should not be drunk unless it has been boiled, filtered or chemically disinfected. In addition, avoid fruits and vegetables unless they have been cooked or peeled. Also avoid food and beverages obtained from street vendors.

Around 11 percent of the adult population in Malawi are living with HIV/AIDS. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.

Facilities are very basic especially in rural areas where most local providers do not speak English fluently. Medication stocks are variable with many Western medicines not available at all. It is advisable to purchase comprehensive medical insurance, however doctors and hospitals will often demand payment in cash regardless of this.

If the condition is serious, it is advisable to evacuate to a country where facilities are better equipped, such as South Africa.

Pass

Passports should be valid for at least six months from the intended date of arrival in Malawi.

Visum

All nationals travelling to Malawi for tourism, transit or business must obtain a visa prior to travel, except for nationals from Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) countries and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) countries (except for those SADC and COMESA countries that subject Malawians to visa requirements).

You should contact the nearest Embassy of Malawi in order to determine the required process to obtain a visa. Single- and multi-entry visas are available, as well as transit visas. All visitors must have a return or onward ticket and all documents necessary for return or onward journeys, as well as sufficient funds for their duration of stay.

A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers coming from an infected area.

For additional information visit TLCS at http://www.tlcsvisas.com/tlcs/