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Strengthening Compassionate Reproductive Health Care: Values Clarification Workshops Held in Lilongwe and Blantyre
Health professionals from across Malawi recently participated in Values Clarification for Action and Transformation (VCAT) workshops held in Lilongwe and Blantyre (2nd and 4th February 2026 respectively), aimed at strengthening respectful and compassionate reproductive health care within the health system.
The training brought together members and associate members of the Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Malawi (AOGM), alongside clinicians and nurses working in the sexual and reproductive health space. The workshops were supported by the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ECSACOG) as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen professional capacity and promote high standards of care in the region.
Blantyre VCAT Training
The sessions provided a structured platform for participants to reflect on how personal values, professional responsibilities, and the legal framework influence the delivery of reproductive health services. Participants explored global and local perspectives on reproductive health and discussed the importance of respectful, non-judgmental, and patient-centered care, particularly when supporting women who present with complications related to pregnancy loss.
The workshops also highlighted the importance of post-abortion care, an essential and legally permitted service within Malawi’s healthcare system that plays a critical role in preventing complications and saving lives.
Interactive group discussions encouraged participants to reflect on the barriers women may face in accessing care, including stigma, social pressures, and health system challenges. The training emphasized the importance of empathy, confidentiality and professionalism in the provision of sexual and reproductive health services.
Lilongwe VCAT Training
By examining personal beliefs alongside professional responsibilities, the workshops helped strengthen participants’ commitment to compassionate care, ethical practice, and improved health outcomes for women and girls in Malawi.