By Jones Gadama
The DREAM programme, run by the Sant’Egidio community, has been making waves in Malawi’s healthcare sector, providing free healthcare services to thousands of Malawians through its 13 healthcare centers and three molecular biology laboratories.
Recently, Deputy Minister of Health, Noah Chimpeni, paid a visit to the St Egidio DREAM Centre clinic in Blantyre, where he praised the quality of care being delivered.
During his tour, Chimpeni encouraged the programme to continue its excellent work and expressed the government’s desire for the DREAM programme to expand its reach to more districts, enabling more Malawians to benefit from its services.
“My word is just to encourage them to continue as government would wish that they would be in as many districts as possible so that more Malawians benefit,” he said.
The DREAM programme has been operational in Malawi since 2005, focusing on providing comprehensive care to people living with HIV/AIDS.
With a strong emphasis on specialized human resources, the programme has developed a close collaboration with national healthcare authorities.
Paola Germano, the general coordinator for the DREAM programme, highlighted the importance of healthcare services going beyond treating patients.
“Healthcare services are not just about treating patients, but also about changing the mentality and culture of the society,” she said.
The DREAM programme provides everyone with HIV/AIDS assistance free of charge, including specific consultancy services, medical examinations, diagnostic monitoring, and social support.
The programme operates three molecular biology laboratories in Blantyre, Dowa, and Balaka, which play a crucial role in diagnosing and monitoring diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
The programme has recently broadened its scope to include other diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cervical cancer, diagnosis, and treatment of tuberculosis, hepatitis, and other non-communicable diseases.
The DREAM programme’s model of care has been hailed as a success story in Malawi’s healthcare landscape.
By providing high-quality, patient-centered care, the programme has improved health outcomes for thousands of Malawians.
The programme’s focus on community engagement, health education, and social support has also helped to reduce stigma and promote adherence to treatment.
The DREAM programme’s collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders has been instrumental in its success.
The programme has worked closely with the government to develop guidelines for HIV/AIDS treatment and has contributed to the country’s efforts to improve healthcare services.
As the DREAM programme continues to expand its services and reach more Malawians, its impact on the country’s healthcare landscape is likely to grow.
With its focus on community engagement, health education, and patient-centered care, the programme is poised to make a lasting difference in the lives of thousands of Malawians.
The programme’s innovative approach and commitment to delivering high-quality care have demonstrated that even in resource-constrained settings, excellent healthcare outcomes can be achieved.
