Donor funds invisible at community level—report

A study conducted by the Oxford Policy Management has revealed that the donor community is invisible at the community level as far as health services.

The findings of the report have also exposed that government health facilities are the most preferred by the poor in Malawi.

The results of the report, titled Local perceptions, participation and accountability in Malawi’s health sector,’ were released in Lilongwe on Tuesday evening.

“The study also finds that development aid and the donor community is invisible at community level. Resources are seen as coming from the government or from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) who deliver in the field, nor from donors,” reads part of the findings.

But is says such a situation can be viewed as a result of aid successfully being channeled through national systems.

According to the study, people in rural communities also feel they have little influence over NGOs programmes, which it says are seen as decided from above, not driven by local community objectives.

Andrew Kardan, who was a lead consultant for the study, government health facilities are preferred by the poor adding that health centres run by the Christian Health Association (Cham) are regarded as providing services of higher quality, ‘but at a higher price.’

He said traditional health providers are only used for a few specific health problems.

On a positive note, Kardan said, based on the findings of the study, rural communities in Malawi are generally well informed about their rights and have expectations of good treatment.

He said people also have improving access to health information, especially through radio stations and women’s networks.

The study was funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NADC).