BBC Interview of Life on the Spectrum

ST JOHN OF GOD TEAM VISITS PARLIAMENT

Saint John of God Hospitaller Services visited Parliament to share updates on the Early Inclusive Services Project and the Umoza Project.

The Early Inclusive Services Project is being implemented in Lilongwe Rural and Mzimba North with support from Christian Blind Mission. The project focuses on promoting the rights of children and youth with disabilities. During the visit, the team highlighted some of the key challenges these children face, including limited access to health and rehabilitation services, lack of disability-friendly school infrastructure, and ongoing stigma in communities. The engagement with Members of Parliament aimed to raise awareness and encourage support for more inclusive services.

The visit also provided an opportunity for children under the Umoza Project to experience Parliament firsthand. The Umoza Project supports street-connected children through rehabilitation and education. For many of the children, it was their first time travelling outside Mzuzu. While at Parliament, they learned how proceedings are conducted, which will support their own child parliament activities.

The children interacted with Parliament’s Civic Education Manager, Mr. Peter Njinga, who explained the role of Parliament and responded to their questions.

The delegation was acknowledged by the First Deputy Speaker during the sitting. They also met with the Minister of Gender, Disability and Social Welfare, Honourable Mary Navicha, who expressed support for the projects and openness to further engagement with Saint John of God.

Ministry of Health awarding St John of God Lilongwe and Mzuzu with 4star rating

We are honoured and thrilled to announce that today during the Ministry of Health Integrated Health Sector Annual review meeting, both our Lilongwe and Mzuzu health facilities were officially each awarded a prestigious 4-star certification by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation

 

In a ceremony presided over by the Guest of Honour, Hon. Minister of Health Madalitso Baloyi (MP), our services were recognised as being among the Top 10 Health Facilities in Malawi for Quality of Care standing out among over 200 facilities assessed nationwide.

This achievement is part of the Ministry’s Stepwise Quality of Care (QOC) Program, where facilities are rated from 1 to 5 stars by certified National Assessors. The rigorous evaluation covers clinical services (inpatient care, out patient care, mental health services, emergency care), leadership and management (governance, human resource and expertise, patient rights and care, risk management), clinical support (medication management and diagnosis), and facility standards assessed through observation, interviews, documentation reviews, and direct feedback from our valued service users.

 

This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to exceptional healthcare, leadership, and patient-centred service. We extend our deepest gratitude to our dedicated teams, partners, and the community we serve.

HSG Newsletter First Edition

We’re delighted to share the first edition of the HSG Newsletter, packed with updates from Malawi and other countries within the group, stories, and insights from across our services. This issue includes:

• Highlights from recent initiatives and events
• Inspiring stories from our teams and communities
• Updates on global partnerships and innovative projects

Take a moment to explore and stay connected with what’s happening across HSG.

Download Here

SJOG FAMILY DAY REPORT

https://sjog.mw/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Malawi-Gathering-Final-Report_v3.pdf

IMPROVING MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH IN MALAWI

Saint John of God Hospitaller Service Malawi 2024 Annual Report

The Annual Service report is now avaliable for download on this link

BENCHMARKING VISIT TO ZOMBA MENTAL HOSPITAL

This week, a team from St John of God Hospitaller Services had the privilege of visiting Zomba Mental Hospital, Malawi’s other tertiary psychiatric hospital, for a benchmarking exchange. As the only two facilities of this kind in the country, collaboration and shared learning are vital to advancing mental healthcare in Malawi.

During the exchange visit we shared lessons on how we can improve our services in the following areas: Risk Management, Emergency Response, Use of Technology for monitoring purposes and Staff support to ensure optimal service delivery. On risk management, the two teams shared the risk management tools that they use such as forms and policies and also shared insights on what they can add to enhance safety of both staff and clients. As any hospital, emergency response is critical and on this, the two teams shared the best practices on de-escalation and teamwork during crises. On use of technology for monitoring it was discussed that using CCTV would be an effective way of monitoring clients and staff and also there is need to enhance documentation to improve client care. Finally regarding staff support, discussions emphasized the importance of mental health resources, training, and a supportive work environment to maintain high quality delivery.

This benchmarking visit strengthened the partnership between St John of God of Hospitaller Services and Zomba Mental Hospital, fostering mutual growth in mental healthcare practices. By sharing knowledge and innovative strategies, both institutions are better equipped to address challenges and improve care for their clients. Such collaborations underscore the power of teamwork in advancing mental health services across Malawi, ensuring a safer and more supportive environment for both clients and healthcare providers. We look forward to continued exchanges that drive progress and excellence in mental healthcare.

ST JOHN OF GOD HOSPITALLER SERVICES MALAWI BRANDING

We are happy to announce the new branding of our services, having become part of Hospitaller Services Group Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Our new logo consists of the St John of God wordmark and pomegranate symbol. The pomegranate, with its geometric design, is upheld by foliage that symbolises St John of God’s unwavering support to the people who access any of their services. The internal seeds (seeds of hospitality) represent growth and potential for thriving. Within the negative space, the seeds create a discreet cross which is in respect of the heritage of the organisation.

Strengthening Disaster Response Saint John of God Presents Mental Health Findings to DoDMA

When Cyclone Freddy devastated communities in Blantyre and Mulanje, Saint John of God Hospitaller Services, with support from KNH Luxembourg, responded with a vital mental health initiative. Recognizing that true recovery goes beyond physical rebuilding, we implemented Interpersonal Therapy for Groups (IPT-G) to help survivors process trauma, grief, and depression. This evidence-based approach provided a safe space for healing, empowering individuals to regain emotional strength and rebuild social connections.

To ensure long-term impact, we conducted a groundbreaking study on the effectiveness of IPT-G in treating Cyclone Freddy-related depression. The findings, which highlight the critical role of mental health support in disaster recovery, were recently shared with Malawi’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA). During a meeting with Commissioner Charles Kalemba and Chief Disaster Management Officer Natasha Mbengo, we discussed how these insights can shape future disaster response strategies nationwide.

This collaboration marks an important step toward integrating psychosocial care into Malawi’s disaster preparedness plans. By addressing both immediate and long-term mental health needs, we’re helping communities build true resilience. Survivors are not just reconstructing homes they’re restoring hope, dignity, and a sense of possibility for the future.

At Saint John of God Hospitaller Services, we believe recovery begins with healing hearts and minds. Cyclone Freddy left deep scars, but through partnerships, research, and compassionate care, we’re proving that even after the storm, brighter days lie ahead. Join us in supporting this vital work as we help communities rebuild from the inside out.