NGO urges govt to uphold policies
Amref Health Africa last week engaged the media to promote reforms that will ensure improved health service delivery in the country.
Speaking in Liwonde, Machinga on Friday at the close of a two-day media orientation, Amref health systems advocacy manager Benedict Chinsakaso underscored the role of the media in ensuring that those in authority implement policies the country ratified and signed.
He said: “Malawi is very good at formulating policies but implementing them remains a challenge. Some countries have learnt from our policies and progressed. It is high time we look critically at these issues and strive to reform.”
This he said will foster adequate support in the health sector for increased funding and capacity building, leading to improved service delivery.
According to Chinsakaso, latest findings by the Malawi government indicates that Malawi’s doctor to patient ratio stands at 6 to 100 000 (1:17 000) while nurse to patient ratio is at 34 to 100 000 (1: 3 000). The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a doctor to patient ratio of 1: 600.
In his remarks, Family Planning Association of Malawi (Fpam) National Programmes Technical Committee member Jimmy Kachale said over-population has a huge bearing on health service delivery.
“This is why we are working with partners in promoting family planning starting with the youth,” he said.
Amref Health Africa, which operates in over 30 African countries, started operating in Malawi in 2012. It strives to provide lasting health change in Africa. n
