USAID-funded projects to boost health sector: Minister Chiponda

According to USAID Health Office Deputy Director Harold Njikho, their projects have come to support the Ministry of Health as it prepares to launch its Vision 3 strategic plan 2023-2030.

Chiponda-speaking at the launch of the programs by USAID.

Malawi: Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda says Malawi's health sector will benefit greatly from a K130 billion multifaceted aid package from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) aimed at improving nutrition and eradicating Malaria in the country.

Chiponda said on the sidelines of the recent launch of four health programmes by USAID, which are expected to scale up maternal, neonatal, and child health, reproductive health, family planning, and nutrition, that USAID's gesture complements the Ministry's efforts to achieve universal health coverage in the country.

"We are grateful to USAID for standing out as a supportive partner because, as a government, we are doing our part, and these four projects will help us eliminate malaria by 2030 as we strive for universal health coverage," Chiponda said.

The Minister also stated that the nutrition sector will improve as a result of some of the programmes, such as Akule ndi Nthanzi, the overall goal of which is to improve the health and nutritional status of women and children during the first 1000 days after conception.

She also emphasised the significance of the nutrition project, which will benefit approximately 235,000 women and children from 36 Traditional Authorities as the country seeks to reduce stunting among children, which is currently at 33%.

"What happens to children before or after birth has an impact 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 explained.

According to USAID Health Office Deputy Director Harlod Njikho, their projects have come to support the Ministry of Health as it prepares to launch its Vision 3 strategic plan 2023-2030.

Njikho went on to say that the projects will not only focus on child health but will also empower households with agricultural activities that will ensure their food security.

"The projects we've launched are different from previous ones because we're also expanding our initiatives by collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture to implement our nutrition activities," he explained.

Palladium (MOMENTUM Tiyeni), AMREF Health Africa (MOMENTUM Tikweze Umoyo), Feed the Children (Akule ndi Nthanzi/Let Them Grow Healthy), and DAPP are the key implementing organisations for the recently launched four projects (Towards Malaria Elimination).