Malawi’s Ministry of Health is making significant strides in improving healthcare services, thanks to an increased budget under President Lazarus Chakwera’s administration. Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda shared details during a press briefing in Lilongwe, outlining how the additional funding has boosted the efficiency and operations of the ministry.
Chiponda emphasized the government’s goal of ensuring every community has a health facility within a five-kilometer radius, in line with the President’s vision. She pointed out that several health facilities have already been built, with further assessments revealing a need for more health posts to serve children and the elderly.
The minister called for the construction of 900 additional health centers and appealed to international partners such as the Global Fund, Red Cross, JTI, and Press Trust to continue their support for the initiative. Chiponda also discussed ongoing rehabilitation efforts at existing hospitals to maintain a conducive environment for both patients and healthcare workers.
She praised the employment of 22,884 healthcare workers, which has enhanced the ministry’s overall performance. Despite the challenges posed by the cholera outbreak, healthcare workers successfully reached over 49,000 villages for vaccinations, significantly reducing cholera cases.
