By Andrew Magombo:
Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda says Malawi’s health sector will benefit a lot from a multifaceted aid package of K130 billion from United States Agency for International Development (USAID) meant for improvement of nutrition and elimination of Malaria in the country.
Chiponda made the remarks on Thursday in Lilongwe when she presided over the official launch of four health programs which will scale up maternal,neonatal, and child health, reproductive health, family planning and nutrition.
In her address, the Minister hailed the continued commitment by USAID in complimenting efforts by the Ministry of Health to achieve Universal Health Coverage through delivery of essential health needs.
‘‘We are thankful to USAID for standing out as a supportive partner because as government we are doing our part these four projects will help us among other things eliminating malaria by 2030,’’ she said
Chiponda added that the nutrition sector will also improve through some of the programs including Akule ndi Nthanzi whose overall goal is improving the health and nutritional status on women and children during first 1000 days after conception.
The minister also highlighted the importance of nutrition project which will benefit about 235,000 women and children from 36 Traditional Authorities as the country seeks to reduce stunting among children currently at 33 percent.
“What happens to the children before or after they are born has a bearing on their cognitive development as they grow including their mental health if there is inadequate neonatal and nutrition care within the first 1000 days,’’ she said.
USAID Health Office Deputy Director Harlod Njikho said the project comes at the right time when the Ministry of Health is expected to launch its 2023-2030 strategic plan Vision 3.
Njikho added that the project will not only focus on child health but rather empowering households with agricultural activities that will ensure their food security.
“The nutrition project we have launched is different from previous ones as we are also extending our reach by working with the Ministry of Agriculture in implementing our nutrition activities,’’ he said.
Key implementing organizations of the four projects are Palladium (MOMENTUM Tiyeni), AMREF Health Africa (MOMENTUM Tikweze Umoyo), Feed the Children (Akule ndi Nthanzi/Let Them Grow Healthy) and DAPP (Towards Malaria Elimination)
