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 head office at Chimseu in Ndirande, Blantyre in 1987.

By the year 1993, the BLM clinic network had expanded to five. In 1994, with funding from Overseas Development Agency (ODA, currently Department for International Development – DFID, infrastructure expansion of the BLM clinic network from 5 to 29 started and was completed in 2001.

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 29 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.

As a leading SRH NGO in Malawi, BLM coordinates the implementation of Health In Prison Project that is funded by DFID MaSSAJ. The project covers all the 24 prisons in Malawi plus two (2) Reformatory Centers of Chilwa and Mpemba Boys Home. The project offers treatment of communicable diseases like scabies, management of STI, treatment of general ailments like malaria and a comprehensive HIV/AIDS information programme. In addition the project also provides recreation materials like footballs, netballs and indoor games facilities. BLM distributes three tablets of medicated soap to each inmate every month to fight communicable diseases. The prison cells are also disinfected every quarter of the year to make sure that prisoners are living in a healthy environment.

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 CT 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 CT services with funding from NAC with the establishment of full operational CT 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