Health Policy

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Browsing Health Policy by Author "Malawi Government Ministry of Finance"

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    National Population Policy
    (Malawi Government Ministry of Finance, 2023-06-01) Malawi Government Ministry of Finance
    The revised National Population Policy (NPP) provides a guiding framework for managing population issues to improve the quality of life for all Malawians. A well-manageable population will enable the Government to provide adequate and quality social services and economic opportunities for Malawians so that they meaningfully contribute to national development. Malawi has made some progress in demographic and socio-economic indicators since the last Population Policy was put in place. The average number of children a woman has during her lifetime – Total Fertility Rate – has declined from 5.7 in 2010 to 4.2 in 2018. Mortality has declined with life expectancy at birth increasing from 48 in 2008 to 62 in 2018 (males) and 51 in 2008 to 68 in 2018 (female). In addition, HIV prevalence rate reduced from 11.8 in 2004 to 8.8 in 2015-16. Malawi’s human development index improved from 0.431 in 2010 to 0.483 in 2019 representing a 12% increase. While there has been progress, the country still faces the challenge of rapid population growth whereby the population size increased at a fast pace and maternal death remain high. If the current trends continue, the situation will impact the country`s ability to achieve its development objectives. Malawi’s Vision is to become an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant nation by 2063 with the medium-term goal of becoming a lower-middle-income economy by the year 2030. However, the prevailing rapid population growth will exacerbate poor living conditions forcing many to resort to unsustainable survival options that will have a detrimental effect on land, forests, and water resources, on which the nation thrives. The Policy, therefore, provides a guiding framework for programming and coordination of population programmes in Malawi. The Policy goals, objectives, and strategies presented are aligned to the national vision "Malawi 2063" and its first 10-year Implementation Plan (MIP-1). Specifically, the Policy is aligned to the Human Capital Development enabler that focuses on the size and quality of a population in relation to socio-economic development. A population characterized by a healthy, well-educated, and skilled workforce is critical in spurring economic growth. Government is committed to providing leadership and the necessary support for the effective implementation of the Policy. Furthermore, the implementation of the Policy requires multi-sectoral efforts. I, therefore, call upon all stakeholders and development partners to join Government in the implementation of the National Population Policy