Malawi faces a severe shortage of healthcare access, especially in rural and remote communities. 40% of the population lives more than five kilometers from the nearest health facility, limiting access to essential care and putting maternal, newborn, and child health especially at risk. At the same time, 54% of nursing positions in public facilities are vacant, leaving many clinics understaffed and unable to meet the growing demand for services.

In support of the Ministry of Health and Population, GAIA Malawi is strengthening Malawi’s health workforce and expanding access to care through its Community‑Based Healthcare and Health Workforce Development programs. Through partnerships with local communities, government, and health training institutions, GAIA works to both deliver health services now and build capacity for the future. 

Our work includes:

• Mobile Health Clinics & Community‑Based Care: GAIA operates seven fully equipped mobile clinics reaching ~35 remote community sites weekly in southern Malawi. These clinics provide an array of services including reproductive health (antenatal, postnatal, family planning), HIV testing and linkage, TB and malaria screening and treatment, childhood pneumonia treatment, and health education. Over 250,000 client visits are made annually through these mobile services.‍
• Nursing Scholar Program: GAIA supports students from low‑income and underserved backgrounds with full scholarships, monthly stipends, psychosocial support, supplies, and licensure exam preparation. Scholars commit to serving in public health facilities in their home countries after graduation. Over 750 scholars have been supported and deployed, many in rural areas where health worker shortages are greatest.‍
• Fellowships for New Nurses: To bridge the gap between graduation/licensure and placement, GAIA provides paid fellowships at public health facilities. These fellowships help newly graduated nurses get supervised in‑service experience, gain confidence, and transition into full professional roles. To date, over 365 fellows have been supported.

Malawi has been at the heart of GAIA’s mission since the organization’s founding in 2000. What began as a response to the HIV/AIDS crisis has evolved into a long-standing commitment to health system strengthening, community engagement, and workforce development. With more than two decades of trusted partnership and on-the-ground experience, GAIA continues to invest in local talent and sustainable solutions to improve health outcomes across Malawi.

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