Banja La Mtsogolo (BLM) is a leading Malawian NGO working in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) information and care countrywide. It is a separate entity and is a Malawian local NGO registered under The Trustees Act of Malawi. BLM was established in 1987 with funding and technical support from Marie Stopes International (MSI), a leading charitable non-governmental organisation from the United Kingdom. BLM is a senior partner in the MSI global partnership.

BLM thus opened its first clinic and support office at Chimseu in Ndirande, Blantyre in 1987.

BLM wishes to acknowledge the cordial working relationship that exists with the Malawi Government through Ministry of Health. This has enabled BLM to establish and expand its provision of health services using 150 Government owned health facilities.

From an organization of five family planning centres in 1989, BLM has developed into a network of 31 integrated SRH centres across all regions of Malawi. DFID continues to be the lead donor to BLM’s sexual and reproductive health activities in Malawi. BLM is providing a full range of Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare services including Family Planning Services, STI management, treatment of general ailments and laboratory services.

BLM is pioneering a project in the provision of youth friendly services and SRH information for the youth in Malawi with financial support from UNFPA and Norway/SIDA. BLM also runs innovative marketing and extensive outreach services and a comprehensive young people health programme that covers almost 70% of the country geographically. The Youth Project seeks to empower young people to make informed decisions on SRH matters.

In a bid to compliment Government’s effort in the fight against HIV/AIDS, in 2004 BLM engaged in Contraceptive Social Marketing Project, which involves marketing and distributing Manyuchi condoms in the country.

In addition to close links with the Ministry of Health for reproductive healthcare, BLM is already an active participant in the National Counseling and Testing (CT) task force and has contributed immensely to the National HIV/AIDS strategy under the leadership of NAC. BLM has, over the years, networked with organisations such as MACRO who already provide HTC services in other areas of Malawi. These networks will continue to be strengthened to ensure that services compliment one another. BLM will continue to work closely with rural poor men, women and especially young people through its established networks and structures.

In 2004, BLM integrated HCT services in 5 centres with funding from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), DFID, and Center for Disease Control (CDC) through UNICEF. BLM is up scaling the provision of HTC services with funding from NAC with the establishment of full operational HTC services in all centres. BLM is also co-operating with the Malawi Government to provide ARVs in five BLM centres.

BLM operates the Mwanza Wellness Center, a border post initiative funded by the World Food Programme (WFP). This initiative targets truck drivers, sex workers and the surrounding communities with SRH services and information.

Youth Activities