The Johns Hopkins Research Project (JHP) in Blantyre, Malawi is a collaborative research project between the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland, USA and multiple institutions in the Republic of Malawi. Together with our partners, we strive to contribute meaningfully to improving health care practices and policy in the region.

JHP has a multidisciplinary team of more than 100 individuals and more than 35 years of quantitative and qualitative research experience. The JHP research administration building along with its clinics, laboratory, and pharmacy are located on the grounds of the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH). QECH is the main teaching and referral hospital in the Southern Region). JHP has also fostered collaborations with surrounding health centers. 

The focus of our collaborative research studies has historically been prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and the promotion of reproductive health and positive pregnancy experiences. Our agenda now includes advanced HIV treatment and research on Covid-19, tuberculosis and hepatitis B. We have been fortunate to work with a large number of partners from around the world on novel interventions. 

Community engagement has always been a major area of strength for JHP and its research platform. Without a solid foundation in the community – including churches, media, local schools, women’s groups, sports clubs – our growth as a research institution in Malawi would not have been possible. Finally, JHP has a long-standing commitment to training with the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences and Ministry of Health. This training has supported 27 Malawian scientists to attend formal training in the U.S. and other countries, and hundreds to attend short-term, intensive Epidemiology and Biostatistics training.