ActionAid Malawi, Partners to Strengthen Health Systems Against Future Pandemics
The program involves collaboration with Sub Sub Recipients, Civil Society Organisations, Coordinating bodies, District structures, and Community Structures.
Mponela, Malawi- ActionAid Malawi, in collaboration with partners under the COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM), has announced plans to invest in fortifying the country's health systems to better tackle any future pandemics, writes Fletcher Simwaka.
This initiative aims to complement the Ministry of Health's efforts in delivering high-quality, accessible, and efficient health services.
The announcement came during a two-day C-19RM review meeting organized by ActionAid Malawi in Mponela, Dowa. Wongani Mugaba, Acting Executive Director of ActionAid Malawi, addressed participants from C-19RM implementing partners, disclosing that the program has received a two-year extension.
This extension will allow partners to focus on collaborating with community, district, and national health structures, enhancing their capacities to respond to potential future pandemics.
Despite the extension, Mugaba acknowledged the funding limitations, stating, "With the limited funding, which is about MK3 billion, we may not support any district. There could also be a refocus on the number of partners we will work with, but we will ensure that we maximize impact with the available resources."
He urged partners to continue effectively implementing the current phase of the program to achieve meaningful impact.
ActionAid Malawi has been implementing the C-19RM as a sub-recipient to the Ministry of Health under the nonbiomedical component since 2022.
The program involves collaboration with Sub Sub Recipients, Civil Society Organisations, Coordinating bodies, District structures, and Community Structures.
The five Sub Sub Recipients involved in the program are the Creative Centre for Community Mobilization (CRECCOM), SRHR Africa (SAT), Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM), Malawi Network of People Living with HIV (MANET+), and the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM).
The COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) is a Global Fund initiative designed to support countries in mitigating the impact of Covid-19 on programs targeting HIV, TB, and malaria. It also aims to initiate urgent improvements in health and community systems to enhance overall resilience against health crises.