The Friede-Springer endowed professorship for Global Child Health project is being run by Witten\/Herdecke University and Dedza District Hospital in Malawi to support the hospital's medical staff with mainstreaming the protection of children’s rights more effectively in the hospital’s day-to-day work. \r
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Background: \r
The hectic nature of everyday life at Dedza District Hospital often leaves little time for proper dialogue with minor patients and their families. Additionally, staff are frequently overstretched with consultations on medical prognoses or on potential surgical complications.\r
There is thus a need for hospital personnel to better educate young patients and their legal guardians about the rights of children in health care facilities and ensure that these rights are upheld in day-to-day hospital work. \r
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Activities:\r
-\tSurveys of health professionals at Dedza District Hospital, as well as minor patients and their legal guardians, to determine how standards on children’s rights are being implemented at the hospital\r
-\tDevelopment and implementation of an action plan to protect children’s rights at Dedza District Hospital, based on an analysis of the current situation and on the shortcomings identified \r
-\tRecognition of children’s rights champions at Dedza District Hospital\r
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Impact: \r
Dedza District Hospital has an overview of areas for improvement when it comes to children’s rights. The action plan is used to plan, implement and, ultimately, evaluate the steps needed to ensure better protection of children’s rights. The children’s rights champions draw greater attention to the issue of children’s rights.