Catholic Health Commission

This is a commission under the Diocesan Social Cervices Directorate that mainly coordinates the provision of health services in the diocese. Its establishment was premised on the need to continue the holistic ministry of Christ through provision of curative, rehabilitative, educational and preventive programs that ensure quality and affordable health services.

Vision

Healthy people assisted by a Holy Spirit filled family of God committed to the provision of equitable, sustainable and quality health care for all regardless of gender, race, color and religion.

Mission
To continue the Healing Ministry of Christ through the promotion of human life, the provision of preventive, curative and rehabilitative services in a holistic manner, through participation in collaborative networks and partnerships, in accordance with the needs and capacities of the communities, and in line with Catholic core values and principles.

Mandate
To coordinate the health services and programmes implemented by the Church.

CAHECOM oversees the provision of medical health services in five health institutions within the Diocese, namely; Montfort hospital at Nchalo, Misomali health center at Chapananga, Kalemba rural hospital at Bangula, Trinity Hospital at Muona and St Martins health center at Thyolo. Trinity college of nursing is the only health education institution in the diocese.

Currently, the CAHECOM is implementing three projects as explained below;

1. Tuberculosis Community prevention, care and Delivery program.

Impact area: Chikwawa and Nsanje District.

Donor:  Funded by Global Fund through Action Aid Malawi and coordinated by the ECM

Project duration: July 2018 to December 2020.

Project Summary:

2. EMPOWER

Impact area: Chikwawa and Nsanje

Donor: funded by USAID through JHPIEGO.

Project Duration: March 2020-September 2024

Project Summary: The project supports health institutions as well as communities in a bid to suppress the further spread of HIV/AIDS through intensifying voluntary medical male circumcision. It in this case, EMPOWER complements Malawi government’s quest to build a society of healthy Malawians who are able to contribute effectively towards national development

3. Ana Patsogolo

Impact area: Chikwawa and Nsanje

Project Duration: October 2020-November 2021

Project Summary: The project seeks prevent further HIV infections and reduce vulnerability of orphans and vulnerable children, caregivers and adolescent girls and young women.

Diocesan health coordinator: Davie Chimwaza.

Montfort Hospital
Montfort hospital is a catholic hospital under the diocese of Chikwawa situated at Nchalo in Chikwawa 80 kilometres from Blantyre.

It was founded in 1973 as a part of the stratergy for reaching out to rural communities with good messages and loving care of Jesus Christ by providing a comprehensive package of health care service needs to the people around the hospital and beyond.

The hospital is now grown to a full referral hospital offering all the services including paediatrics ward, general ward, maternity ward, labor ward, theatre, laboratory, radiology, pharmacy and dental departments.

The hospital has a capacity of 122 beds.
The hospital has both outpatient and inpatient departments.
The hospital serves a catchment area with a population of around 180,000 people.

Mission Statement
To continue the healing ministry in the footsteps of Jesus Christ by healing quality, acceptable and equitable health services especially to the poor people.

Vision Statement
To be a safe and reliable hospital in providing health services in the southern region.
Montfort Hospital has a comprehensive governance structure comprising of Board of Directors which provides the overall policy direction of the organization and a management for the running of the day to day activities of the hospital.

The composition of the Management of Montfort Hospital is clear with key positions of the Medical Officer-In- Charge, the Principal Hospital Administrator, Principal Nursing Officer and the Accountant.

The hospital key members of staff are qualified, knowledgeable and experienced in their area of work.

Note that there is a Health and Advisory Committee between the board and the Management comprising local leaders, business people and opinion leaders within the community.
The Legal propriety of the Hospital is Rt Rev. Peter Musikuwa, the Bishop of the Chiwawa Diocese of the Catholic Church.

TRINITY COLLEGE OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY

A training institution that was established in 1964 by the sisters of the Divine Providence under the diocese of Chikwawa.

It operates under the supervision of Christian Health Association of Malawi, CHAM.

The college aims at producing quality nurses and midwives for the nation.

The first graduating class consisted of only 2 students.

Currently the college has a total number of 273 students.

The college has plans to introduce other health related programs.

The principal for the college is Mr Chifundo Chipondeponde.