Annie Linje-Kachinjika

Nurse

Nchalo, Malawi

The Faces of AB Sugar

Annie is a midwifery nurse at a clinic on the Nchalo sugar estate for Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc; she has worked there for six years. We spoke to Annie to find out more about her work and how she continues to support the local community.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

When a pregnant woman comes in to deliver a baby without complications and a healthy baby and mother go back home, or when a patient comes in critically ill and you help to make them better, I am always proud of that.

How many people do you see at your clinic in an average week?

It depends on the service we are offering. For example, for family planning we see on average 20 women per week, but if its antenatal its three ladies per week. Personally, I can attend to 50 patients per day, but at busy times when all the clinicians and support staff are around, we can see up to 650 patients in a day.

In the six years you’ve worked at the clinic, how has your work changed?

It has changed a lot because there are new services that we offer now, for example occupational health which isn’t offered at many public clinics in the area due to lack of capacity and trained staff. I have also become involved in engaging with the local community through youth clubs to disseminate health messages to the youth living in the areas surrounding the clinic which I really enjoy.

Do you collaborate with third parties as part of your services offered?

We provide a wide range of services from HIV testing to family planning, cancer screening, sexually transmitted infections management and TB screening. In addition, we also work with the Government on a twice-yearly programme for the supplementation of Vitamin A for children aged under five through the Child Health Days. 

What are your aspirations for the future?

I would like to offer the best services that I can to patients, especially in relation to child health. I’d like to encourage young girls to be educated and achieve their goals in life, and to be a role model in the local community. Personally, I’d like to take my studies even further by completing a PHD in nursing. The sky is the limit!