One of the key objectives of the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs) was to improve the lives of infants and children,
particularly the reduction of high infant and childhood mortality
rates throughout the developing world. This paper examines the
experiences of Malawi in tackling the problem of high infant and
childhood mortality over recent decades, 1990–2010. We highlight
the strategies that were used in Malawi which led to Malawi’s
stellar performance in achieving the targets set by the MDGs with
reference to infant and childhood mortality. The data for the
analysis were obtained from Demographic and Health Surveys
and from the various censuses the country has conducted.
Regression analysis using district as the unit of observation reveals
several important factors that have led to the commendable
declines in infant mortality. Significant factors included
immunisation of infants as well as increasing levels of female
education and the availability of skilled birth attendants. What
Malawi’s case demonstrates is that given a correct mix of
strategies, even a poor country such as Malawi can meet some of
the lofty targets set by the MDGs.