St John Malawi is running a maternal and child health programme to tackle high maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the targeted areas. This supports the local government’s efforts (DHOs) to improve the availability of timely and essential care for pregnant women and new mothers with babies in Blantyre and Lilongwe particularly in Ndirande and Mbayani; and Kauma, Chiuzira and Chimbalanga respectively.
St John Volunteers make door-to-door visits to support expectant and new parents, encourage them to use medical services early and often enough. St John Malawi also support with supplies of basic package to local clinics. In remote villages, where health services are not available, St John volunteers work together with local health staff to provide integrated outreach clinics. The volunteers also help the families to develop a birth plan and what to do in an emergency. Community health education sessions are provided to reach women and girls before their first or next pregnancy; and promote wider support among members for pregnant women and new mothers.
The programme is supported by St John International. However, between October 2018 and March 2024, the Scottish Government supported Lilongwe Mother and Baby programme through St John Scotland.
The Mother and Baby Health Programme has realised significant milestones in the served communities in reducing newborn and child deaths.
St John Malawi also supplies basic packages of support to local clinics such as scales to weigh pregnant women and newborns, blood pressure monitors and benches among others.
St John volunteers make door-to-door visits to support expectant and new parents, encourage them to use medical services early and often enough. They also help families to develop a birth plan and what to do in an emergency. Community health education sessions are provided to reach women and girls before their first or next pregnancy, and promotes wider support among community members for pregnant women and new mothers.
St John also supplies a basic package of support to local clinics, such as scales to weigh pregnant women and newborns, blood pressure monitors and sterilising equipment. In remote villages, where health services are not available, our volunteers work together with local health staff to provide outreach clinics. These makeshift clinics in tents or spare rooms provide HIV testing, family planning, and checks for pregnant women, new mothers and babies.
