U.S. Government invests K130 bn in Nutrition improvement and Malaria Elimination in Malawi
The projects are each expected to work collaboratively with health and nutrition stakeholders to support the Malawi government’s mission to end maternal, neonatal, child deaths and other related health challenges.
The United States, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is working towards strengthening Malawi’s health sector following the launch of four nutrition support and malaria elimination programmes.
The new projects carry a combined value of up to $127 million US, which is approximately K130 billion over 5 years.
The projects are Momentums Tiyeni led by Palladium and Tikweze Umoyo led by Amref Health Africa, Akule ndi Thanzi (Let Them Grow Health Activity) led by Feed the Children, and Towards Malaria Elimination (TOME) led by Development Aid from People to People (DAPP.
Each of these projects will work collaboratively with health and nutrition stakeholders to support the Government of Malawi in its mission to end maternal, neonatal, and child deaths, high prevalence of Malaria and other related health challenges.
Speaking during the launch of the projects Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chaponda indicated that Malawi has been faced with a number of challenges that have impinged on the delivery of quality health care and nutritional services.
These among others include high population growth rate which exerts pressure on health resources, challenges on adolescents and youth access to reproductive health information resulting in many adolescents falling pregnant before the age of 18,
The projects also seek to address other challenges like a high percentage chronic malnutrition in children(37%), and WASH related diseases such as Cholera which Malawi is grappling with currently.
“The four projects are designed in a way to contribute towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Malawi Health Sector Strategic Plan, the National Health Policy, and the Malawi Development Agenda 2063 through interventions in the basic health package, and action on social determinants,’’ Chiponda said.
Acting Deputy Mission Director for USAID Natalie Thunberg revealed that they worked closely with the Ministry of Health to design the projects in support of Malawi 2063.
She added that the projects reflect on commitment in their Country Development and Cooperation Strategy, to work with Malawi towards a goal of a more self-reliant Malawi that is gender equitable and democratically accountable.
’’These four new projects will save lives, reduce the burden of disease, and strengthen the health system to save and change lives for good. The U.S. government is proud to partner with Malawi to support this important work, and we are confident that an inclusively wealthy, self-reliant and healthy nation is within reach,’’ Thunberg said.
Despite various challenges facing the country, Malawi has gains in several health indicators over the past decade by focusing on improved delivery of essential health services.
With support from the U.S. government, the country has managed to reduce mortality for under five children by 50 % and malaria-related mortality by 43% since 2010.
The new projects are expected to build on previous successes for continued progress.