In healthcare, the built environment plays a pivotal role in shaping patient experience and promoting public health outcomes. A collaboration between the Malawi University of Science and Technology and Thyolo District Hospital demonstrates how visual communication through student painted murals has been utilized to enhance mother and infant care. The project aimed to accurately depict essential maternal and baby care practices, such as breastfeeding, prenatal care, and safe feeding habits. These murals, strategically placed on non-removable surfaces within the hospital, serve as a key element in the hospital’s built environment, improving legibility and accessibility to health information in Malawi where adult literacy rates are between 60-70%. The murals not only enhance the aesthetic appearance of the hospital but also act as critical tools for health education. They support the hospital’s mission to provide accessible, culturally relevant health information. The murals are bright, engaging, and easy to understand, leading to an improved atmosphere in the hospital and a positive response from patients and staff alike. The Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices students from the region were pivotal in this visual communication project because of their technical art skills and their unique understanding of the community perception of hospitals and medical care. The students transformed the healthcare environment into an interactive space for learning and healing. The project documented in this case study showcases how environmental graphics in healthcare facilities can extend beyond infrastructure to include artistic interventions that foster a sense of community and improve health literacy across indigenous populations.

Authors:
Martha Sullivan, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, United States
Clemence Ngwale, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Malawi

About the Presenter(s)
Martha Sullivan is currently an Associate Professor of Practice serving Chair of Industrial Design and faculty co-lead of the TEAM Malawi transdisciplinary research initiative at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marthaluttrellsullivan/

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