[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ admin_label=”!!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 1 ” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Malawi has made progress over the last two decades. Child mortality fell from 84 to 39 per 1000 live births; life expectancy rose from 45 to 64; and malaria incidence fell from 378 to 228 per 1000 people at risk. However, the country still faces high maternal mortality rates and lags behind in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in rural areas[1]<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 2 ” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n One of the key priorities of the Malawi government is to have the highest possible level of health and quality of life for all its citizens. To reach this goal and reduce the financial burden of health care for its citizens, primary health care services are provided free in all government facilities[2]<\/a><\/sup>. At the same time, inadequate financing and inefficiencies in resource allocation hinder effective delivery and equity. Malawi\u2019s current per capita total health expenditure is less than half the US$ 86 recommended by the World Health Organization for low-income countries. Therefore, the health care system remains highly donor dependent, with donors covering 54.5% of all health care services. Moreover, despite high poverty levels, household out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditure stands at 12% of per capita total health expenditure, and over 3% of households are pushed into poverty due to medical expenses every year.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][ba_gradient_heading title=”Malawi\u2019s bold initiatives advancing universal health coverage” html_tag=”h3″ primary_color=”#455A64″ secondary_color=”#455A64″ admin_label=”HEADING (50-60 characters)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”24px” title_line_height=”1em” custom_padding=”15px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/ba_gradient_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]Universal health coverage (UHC) is integrated into the national policy architecture, including the National Health Policy (2018\u20132030)[3]<\/a><\/sup> and forthcoming Health Sector Strategic Plan III. Recently, the Ministry of Health launched the 2023-2030 Health Financing Strategy, ii which sets out clear pathways through which the country intends to finance the UHC policy objectives. They include bold initiatives for mobilizing resources, pooling resources, creating more efficient ways of purchasing services, and providing strong stewardship and comprehensive data for health financing decision-making.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Some of the reforms proposed include these:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 9 – references” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”13px” custom_margin=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n