St John Malawi implements Primary Health Care and WASH projects in the Community with an objective to improve child health and primary prevention of illness among the vulnerable households in the targeted areas. Over the years, St John Scotland has been the main supporter/donor of projects in Malawi specifically in Ndirande and Mbayani. Lately, Scottish Government and St John International has helped with a WASH component and expanded the primary health care to Kauma, Chiuzira and Chimbalanga in Lilongwe. The targeted areas are densely populated with poor sanitation, as many residents have moved to the cities seeking better opportunities for themselves and their families.

Currently, the primary health care (PHC) work alongside with Mother and Baby Programme supported by St John International has over 196 volunteers working in the project areas across the country.

Household Visits and Outreach by volunteers

St John volunteers make home visits in the local communities to assess household conditions, provide proper health talks/education; and follow up when needed.

Volunteers check on the conditions of refuse disposal, toilets and general home hygiene and indicate actions that households need to take to improve sanitation.

Integrated Outreach Clinics

Outreach clinics for children under the age of five years are carried out through collaboration between St John Malawi and the local health services.

The integrated outreach clinics focus on general consultations, antenatal, health promotions and disease prevention talks, voluntary counselling for HIV and AIDS growth monitoring and immunisation for under five children among others.

The purpose of childhood growth monitoring is to reduce the likelihood of under-weight children and stunting, and in serious cases to improve the health status of children who are malnourished.