Malawi Health Sector Strategic Plan
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Date
2011-01-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ministry of Health
Abstract
It is the desire of the Government of Malawi to have the highest possible level of health and
quality of life for its citizens. Improving the health of the nation through the combined efforts
of individuals, communities, organizations, our co-operating partners and the Government is
therefore one of the key priorities.
The formulation and launch of the national Health Sector Strategic Plan (2011-2016) build on
the sustained gains made under the Program of Work (2004-2010). Considerable
improvements in the delivery of an Essential Health Package (EHP) have been registered in
reducing infant and child mortality rates, pneumonia case fatality and maternal mortality, and
in maintaining high immunization coverage, among other areas. Unlike the Program of Work,
this Plan has taken further measures to address the burden of disease by delivering an
expanded EHP through public health interventions including but not limited to health
promotion, disease prevention and increasing community participation.
The Plan provides the framework that will guide the efforts of the Ministry of Health and all
stakeholders over the next 5 years in contributing to the attainment of the Malawi Growth
and Development Strategy (MGDS-II) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In
cognizance of this, therefore, the emphasis will be on increasing coverage of high quality
EHP services; strengthening performance of the health system to support delivery of EHP
services; reducing risk factors to health and improving equity and efficiency in the delivery of
free, quality EHP services in Malawi, thereby contributing to poverty reduction and the socio economic development of the nation.
The successful implementation of this plan will depend on the continued dedication of staff in
the Ministry of Health and those of its partner organizations. We welcome the support of our
co-operating partners, we gratefully acknowledge their contribution towards the development
of the HSSP and look forward to their continued support in its implementation.
As a policy document that we have jointly formulated, it is my sincere hope that it will
henceforth become the single most important point of reference for design of service delivery
programmes, resource mobilization and health financing framework, as it embodies our
dream for a better health care delivery system for all the people of Malawi.