The Heart of the Warm Heart: A Legacy of Healing in Malawi
In the rolling highlands of southeastern Africa, Malawi is often celebrated as the "Warm Heart of Africa." But for millions, that heart has been under siege by a silent crisis: a near-total absence of advanced cardiology services for a population of 20 million. To answer this call, MTIMA (Medical Teams International Malawi) and the Canadian Society of Echocardiography (CSE) launched a high-stakes mission in 2025 to do more than provide aid—they came to build a future.
The following are the deep-dive stories of those rewriting Malawi's medical destiny, captured in the spirit of a movement that turns "small money" into lasting, life-saving capacity.
1. The Global Heart: Christine’s Vow of Service
For Christine, the 2025 mission was the culmination of a lifelong dream—a chance to step beyond the familiar clinical hallways and into the heart of a global health crisis. Her journey was a masterclass in the emotional spectrum of humanitarian work: from the "heart-wrenching" weight of witnessing preventable suffering to the "eye-opening" discovery of what a single well-placed scan can achieve.
She wasn't just a visitor; she was a bridge. By focusing on advanced cardiac surgery and local education, she helped ensure that the expertise brought from Canada didn't leave when the plane did. "I will forever hold Malawi in my heart," she reflects, her mission now evolving from a two-week trip into a lifelong commitment to cardiac health equity.
Christine scanning a patient.
2. The Needle-Mover: Kim Weir’s Inaugural Impact
Kim Weir entered the inaugural 2025 medical mission with a single, burning question: Can one person truly make a difference?. At Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, she found her answer in the quiet precision of the echo lab. Working shoulder-to-shoulder with Dr. McCarty and the local Malawian team, Kim turned a short 14-day window into a cumulative teaching event.
Her focus on cardiac sonography was a direct answer to the "dire need" of the community. In a setting where standard views must become reflex, she mentored local staff to ensure clearer scans and decisive reports—the kind that clear backlogs and save lives. Kim’s journey proves that expertise, when shared with humility, becomes a permanent part of the clinic’s fabric.
Kim preparing Michael for secondary school demonstration.
3. The Local Architect: Dr. Wickson Kaliyapa
Dr. Wickson Kaliyapa is the living future of Malawian cardiology. Having completed his internship in 2023, he joined MTIMA not just as a student, but as a trailblazer determined to become the country's first home-grown specialist. His mantra—Learn!!! Teach!!! and Make an impact!!!—is the heartbeat of the mission’s sustainability.
Wickson’s training in mechanical valve assessment and EchoPAC software reporting is revolutionary for the region. He recently managed a complex case of Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) that had ravaged three of a patient's valves. Because of his newfound skills, that patient now has a local guardian for her health, proving that the best care for Malawi is homegrown care.
Wickson (in front of screen), after MTIMA’s education session.
4. The Visionary Builder: Precious Chibatala
While surgeons repair individual hearts, Precious Chibatala is building the wards where those hearts beat. As a Clinical Associate at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Precious turned his first formal training in October 2024 into a hospital-wide transformation.
Under the mentorship of the MTIMA team, Precious became a reliable expert in echocardiography, using his skills to help establish a dedicated Cardiology Ward in Blantyre. His vision is expansive: he aims to take these services to the central and northern reaches of Malawi, ensuring no village is left behind. "I am living my dream at the moment," he says, embodying the pride of a professional who has finally been given the tools to match his ambition.
Precious with Kim and Maala.
5. The Resurrection: A Patient's New Lease on Life
Behind every medical scan is a human story. One patient spent six years in a physical and financial prison, ravaged by Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD). She was so breathless that climbing into bed was a "marathon," and she had been misdiagnosed with Tuberculosis four separate times—a common tragedy in regions lacking cardiac diagnostics.
The 2025 MTIMA mission changed everything. Mission doctors used their personal resources to ensure her surgery went forward, replacing the valves that had failed her. Today, she is a vibrant worker, performing every task without limitation. "I pray to God to bless the doctors abundantly," she says, her life now serving as a powerful advocate for early cardiac screening in her community.
Zione’s life changing story with MTIMA.