Ministry of Health Principal Secretary Samson Mndolo says the newly-launched health strengthening programme will contribute towards universal access to health.
He said this yesterday in Lilongwe during the launch of a 12-month United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)-funded programme aimed at implementing health interventions to strengthen the country’s health workforce.
“The initiative will support health partnerships to strengthen Malawi’s health workforce in line with national health priorities to build stronger and more resilient health systems for post-pandemic recovery and to advance progress towards universal health coverage,” said Mndolo.
During the launch, the Global Health Programme (GHP) announced 900 000 pound sterling (about K2.2 billion) grants towards four projects aimed at strengthening the health workforce in the country.
The projects have four thematic areas to be co-led by the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (Kuhes) and the National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi (Nonm).
The projects have each received grants worth 130 000 pounds, 99 957 pounds, 99 773 pounds and 91 115 pounds.
GHP country representative Dickens Binali said the programme gives the institutions an opportunity to improve the country’s healthcare workforce.
“The programme will run for a year. It started in April and will phase out in May next year,” he said.
Nonm representative Judith Chirembo said the council will use the grant to improve leadership skills for middle level nursing and midwifery managers.
World Health Organisation health system coordinator Solome Nampewo said the organisation aligns itself with Malawi’s Health Sector Strategic Plan III goal of building a strong, fit-for-purpose resilient health workforce to deliver quality healthcare services.
She said WHO commends the government’s increased recruitment and deployment of healthcare workers since 2019 and 2023.
Nampewo said Malawi’s service delivery index, currently at 51.7 percent, needs accelerated efforts with human resource investments to build resilient health systems.
The GHP is part of a programme in partnerships between the UK, Ethiopia, Malawi and Somaliland.
