Texas Children's Global Health Baylor Foundation Malawi

Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation – Malawi (Baylor Foundation Malawi) has partnered with the Malawi Government in the health sector since 2005. Our key focus areas include direct service delivery, systems strengthening, training, and research. Originally dedicated to improving the health and lives of HIV-infected children and families, our mission has expanded to encompass maternal and neonatal health, pediatric oncology, hematology, cardiology, emergency medicine, and surgical and anesthesia services at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) and other sites.

Through the Tingathe Program, we assist the Ministry of Health in achieving HIV epidemic control by supporting client-centered care from diagnosis to treatment engagement. The USAID-funded Tingathe CORE program operates in six districts: Lilongwe, Salima, Balaka, Mangochi, Machinga, and Phalombe, focusing on prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of HIV.

Additionally, we support pediatric hematology-oncology services at the Malawi National Cancer Center, advanced maternal care at Area 25 Health Facility, and quality improvement initiatives. Our commitment extends to capacity-building, including the MMED pediatric residency at KCH, ensuring sustainable pediatric healthcare in Malawi. Despite challenges, including climate-related disasters, we remain dedicated to advancing comprehensive, high-impact healthcare solutions across Malawi.

2024 at a Glance

20 Years in Operation, Lilongwe, Malawi

1,039,217 People Reached

1,969 Health Professionals Trained

1,284 Staff Employed

Voices of Hope: Stories of Strength, Healing, and Resilience

Ketrina’s Journey: Finding Strength Through Support

Ketrina, a 14-year-old girl, overcame stigma and family challenges through Teen Club and Guardian Sessions, transforming her home environment and improving her health and happiness.

At just 14 years old, Ketrina has faced more hardships than most her age. Living with her mother and financially struggling stepfather, she endured daily insults and the painful betrayal of having her HIV status publicly disclosed. Isolated and stigmatized, she struggled to stay on treatment, battling not only her condition but also the judgment of those around her.

Everything changed when she joined Teen Club. Through Intensive Adherence Counseling (IAC) sessions and home visits, Ketrina received the support she desperately needed. Her parents, including her stepfather, were engaged through Guardian Sessions, helping to transform her home environment into a place of understanding and care.

Now, Ketrina proudly attends Teen Club each month, embracing her health and future with renewed hope.

It is through guardian sessions that my parents—especially my father—opened up, and now my home environment has changed for the better. Thanks to Teen Club, I am happy, and my health has improved.”

Her story is a testament to the power of community, education, and compassion in changing lives.

2023 Annual Report

Explore the achievements, progress, and impact in Baylor Foundation Malawi's latest report.

Read the Report

Notable Programs

Tingathe

Tingathe, meaning “together we can” in Chichewa, is a USAID-funded initiative supporting Malawi’s Ministry of Health to achieve HIV epidemic control. The Tingathe Client Oriented Response for Epidemic Control (CORE) program (2021-2026) strengthens HIV care through increased case identification, treatment linkage, and viral suppression. Operating in six districts, it supports 96 health facilities, including the Baylor Center of Excellence. In 2023, Tingathe tested 649,255 clients for HIV and initiated 10,614 on ART, maintaining 93% viral suppression.

Pediatric Surgery

Baylor Foundation Malawi provides pediatric surgical services at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) through a dedicated team led by Dr. Bip Nandi and Dr. Amarylis Mapurisa. The program has expanded from one surgeon and limited operating days to two attending surgeons, five trainees, and increased surgical capacity to over 600 procedures annually. The department also trains Malawian and international pediatric surgeons and anesthetists, strengthening regional expertise. Recent advancements include improved gastroschisis management and specialized hypospadias surgery.

Maternal Health

Baylor Foundation Malawi, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, continues to expand maternal and neonatal care at Area 25 Health Facility. In 2022, the facility managed 8,200 deliveries, a 12% increase, with no recorded maternal fatalities. It also scaled up neonatal care with new pediatric and OB/GYN specialists. Additionally, a regenerative permaculture program provides nutritional and livelihood support to mothers. Over 370 successful fistula repairs were conducted, improving maternal health outcomes.

PACHIMAKE

PACHIMAKE (Pediatric Alliance for Child Health Improvement in Malawi at KCH and Environs) is a collaboration between Kamuzu Central Hospital, Malawi Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Baylor Foundation Malawi, and four U.S.-based pediatric hospitals. The consortium supports pediatric training, clinical care, and quality improvement initiatives. Last year, it provided 35 weeks of consultant coverage and helped establish Malawi’s MMED pediatric residency program. Additionally, PACHIMAKE launched a quality improvement project to enhance pediatric triage and early warning systems.

Global Cancer Program

Global HOPE Malawi provides comprehensive care for children with cancer and blood disorders at the Malawi National Cancer Center in Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH). In the past year, the program enrolled 354 new patients—180 with cancer and 174 with blood disorders, mainly sickle cell disease. Additionally, 355 healthcare workers across 14 districts were trained in childhood cancer recognition. Through partnerships, Global HOPE has enhanced diagnostic capacity with molecular testing and secured critical medication donations.

Global Neonatology

Baylor Foundation Malawi’s Neonatology program supports the management of sick and high-risk newborns at Area 25 Health Facility. In the past year, the program expanded with the addition of a pediatrician and an OB/GYN specialist to enhance neonatal care. The initiative focuses on improving onsite care for neonates, reducing stillbirth rates, and ensuring high-quality maternal and neonatal health services in the catchment area

Discover more about our related programs:

Leadership & Partnerships

Leadership

Phoebe Nyasulu, M.B.A.

Executive Director

Mrs. Mary Maere
Finance and Administration Director

Dr. Amos Msekandiana
Medical Director

Mr. Joseph Mhango
Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Director

Dr. Jeffrey Wilkinson
Maternal Health Director

Prof. Ronald Mataya
Maternal Health Co-Director

Mr. David Stobbelaar
Tingathe CORE Deputy Chief of Party

Miss Martha Henderson
Tingathe CORE Operations Director

Partnerships

AbbVie Foundation

Malawi Government, through the Ministry of Health

Baylor College of Medicine

Texas Children’s Hospital

USAID

UKAID

UNICEF

National AIDS Commission (NAC)

ActionAid

Airborne Lifeline Foundation

Positive Action for Children Fund (PACF)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation

Direct Relief

Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF)

Freedom from Fistula Foundation

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill / Project Malawi

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

University of Utah / Primary Children’s Hospital

Kamuzu University of Health Sciences

Featured Stories

Global Health symposium draws more than 500 participants for an exchange of ideas on innovation

Texas Children’s Global Health Network, in partnership with the Baylor College of Medicine, hosted its first-ever virtual Research. Art. Innovation. Scholarship. Education (RAISE) Symposium from June 28 to July 2, drawing more than 500 registered participants from more than 20 countries across the world.

Through partnership with FIGO, Texas Children’s is helping women and girls fight obstetric fistula

With generous philanthropic support, Texas Children’s has partnered with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) to help provide life-altering surgery to the millions of women worldwide who suffer with obstetric fistula.

Texas Children’s Global Health partners in Malawi plant and distribute seedlings for Earth Day

Texas Children’s Global Health partners at the Area 25 Health Centre in Malawi planted giant bamboo seedlings in its permaculture garden to recognize Earth Day, and to celebrate the lasting connections between human and environmental health.