One of the things that really surprise me here in Africa is how close death is. So far, with my only about 15 colleagues at the organisation in Nkhotakota, every week there is a few that are out from work because they have to go to a funeral. In Norway, I think I haven't been to a funeral for about ten years. People just don't die in Norway, whereas here it happens all the time. Malaria, traffic accidents, tuberculosis, many other diseases and a health system not available for most of the population may be the main reasons.
Malaria seems to be very common. Every couple of days some of my colleagues have malaria. However, they are used to it: They just take some medication (Lariam or quinine, apparently) and then they seem to be fine. We white guys take prophylaxis, so we generally don't get it as long as we remember to take our pills.
The pictures show the lab and the outside of the Saint Anne's Hospital in Nkhotakota. Nice place to check for malaria if in doubt.
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