Malawi's hospitals and clinics provide critical HIV testing and treatment and serve as sites for the disbursement of free antiretroviral (ARV) medication. They also provide care for those who are ill and dying, and provide basic maternity care, including the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission of HIV. As a result of HIV infections, rates of tuberculosis have increased and deaths from co-infections are on the rise. These diseases also lead to higher maternal mortality rates due to complications from HIV and lack of access to obstetrical care.

Through our partnerships with local hospitals and clinics, GAIA supports the development of Malawi's healthcare infrastructure. Most recently we raised funds to support the construction of a new safe birthing center at St. Joseph's Hospital in Ludzi Parish as well as an 8-bed maternity clinic in Chisala, a remote northern village near the shores of Lake Malawi.

St. Joseph's Hospital is critical to the health of villagers living nearby-the hospital serves an area of over 26,000 people, over 6,000 of whom are women of child-bearing age. Currently the hospital handles a total of 2,000 births per year. Over 15% of these deliveries are classified as "complicated" because mothers require cesarean sections, blood transfusions and other surgical procedures that the hospital was previously unable to provide. In the past when village women reached the hospital, medical treatment was hampered by the lack of life-saving equipment and adequate physical infrastructure.

Provision of maternal care is provided for free through St. Joseph's government contract. The Malawian government will be financially responsible for poor women's hospital fees including all antenatal, intra-partum and post-partum care. As a government service provider, St. Joseph's will be able to attract more women to the birthing center and lower the rates of maternal and infant mortality in the area.

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