CHC Diocese of Chickwawa

Catholic Health Commission, is an arm of the Catholic Church under the Diocese of Chikwawa. The Health Commission operates under the guidance of The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), which is the highest policy making Council of Bishops responsible for the running and management of pastoral and social teaching of the Catholic Church in Malawi. The Health Commission operates within the field of HBC in terms of HIV prevention, care and support interventions based on the principles developed under the umbrella of ECM Home Based Care projects. Its vision is to have a healthy Society that is able to access improved and affordable Health Services. It identifies itself by a mission which is continuation of the healing ministry of Jesus Christ through promotion of human life by coordinating and providing affordable Health Services to rural and urban areas in Malawi. As such Health Commission is also responsible for facilitating and monitoring the quality of Health services in the diocese. The Commission works with Community Based Organisations (CBO) to reach out to the needy people in various communities within its parishes. Consequently, the implementation of interventions in HBC depends greatly on the role played by community volunteers that are closely working with the immediate caregivers. Therefore, the support the church is providing to the community groups has helped and encouraged communities to respond positively in caring and supporting the HBC clients within the respective communities. During the last three years with support from Cordaid, the Commission has a record of success stories in issues of mobilisation of community volunteers such that it has created a good network of volunteers and the health facilities within its catchment areas. It has also strengthened the community structures hence making the HBC groups sustainable.