Sunday, March 26, 2023
19.1 C
Lilongwe

Tanzania in with more...

President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera's led Operation Tigwirane Manja was widely thought to be an intenal lobbying for more helping hands from Malawians, but the Tanzanian government appears to have understood the initiative as they are tirelessly coming with assistance.

Minister Ng’oma fulfills his...

Minister of Homeland Security Ken Zikhale Ng'oma has fulfilled his promise of donating K1.5 million from his salary to Tropical Cyclone Freddy survivors in Chilobwe, Blantyre.

TB fight, leprosy elimination...

Deputy Minister of health Halima Daudi has expressed the need for more investment in efforts to fight against tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy in Malawi.

Governance experts fault APM...

Governance experts have faulted former President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM) for refusing to attend the engagement President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera called to discuss and identify solutions to the effects of Tropical Cyclone Freddy.]
HomeHealthMinistry of Health...

Ministry of Health committed to support HESNET

Posted in

Ministry of Health says it will do everything possible to support Health Services Manager’s Network (HESNET) with the aim of promoting policies and strategies in addressing some of the gaps observed in its Health Sector Strategic Plan three.

{loadmoduleid 115}

The minister responsible, Enoch Phale made the remarks on Monday in Mzuzu when he opened a two-day HESNET first-ever annual general meeting alongside launching the health sector’s Best Local Authority Award which will be sponsored by Innobuild Limited Company.

Phale: we need to reposition our health systems

Phale said the ministry will ensure that the network’s structures are well-capacitated and supported for it to rise up to the challenges that the ministry continues to face, thereby improving health service delivery.

{loadmoduleid 115}

“As a policyholder, we will link up with policy implementors so that they isolate issues that they can support from Health Sector Strategic Plan.

 This plan cannot be implemented by the ministry alone hence the call for both local and international development partners to support areas of their choice,” said Phale

Regarding the shortage of health workers in the country, Phale said the ministry acknowledges that human resources was an important component for quality health services delivery, however, issues of wage bills which cause the problem in most cases go beyond the ministry’s capacity.

{loadmoduleid 115}

“The ministry continues to lobby for resource mobilization to support such challenges among others besides advocating for practical policies providing guidance in the implementation of the plan,” he said.

Phale also expressed concern over dilapidated health facility structures and urged local councils to be vigilant in rehabilitating the facilities.

He said the ministry delegated rehabilitation of health facilities to local councils in the spirit of decentralization and it only intervenes when it comes to upgrading health centers and constructing new hospitals.

In his remarks, Chairperson for HESNET, Dr. Henry Chibowa applauded the meeting, saying it has created a platform for stakeholders in the health sector to reposition health systems to be in line with the plan.

{loadmoduleid 115}

Chibowa Jr making a presentation

“The advent of Covid-19 and the current Chorela outbreak have devastated our health systems, hence the need to reposition them,” said Chibowa Jr.

He however said the shortage of drugs and medical supplies in the country’s health facilities was a result of domination by Central Medical Stores Trust.

{loadmoduleid 115}

“There is a need for full decentralization of the drug budget. Currently, local authorities are given 10 percent of the total drug budget and our wish is that they should be given 50 percent and be at liberty to also buy drugs and medical supplies from pharmacies,” he said.

The meeting was among others, attended by directors of health and leaders from local authorities across the country.

PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING

More from this Author

Governance experts fault Tonse Govt for appointing Kayuni as PS

Governance experts Victor Chipofya and George Phiri have faulted the Tonse Alliance government for appointing former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr. Steven William Kayuni, as Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Homeland Security.

President Chakwera, ITU Secretary General Doreen Bogdan-Martin discuss digital transformation for Malawi

Malawi President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera on Monday afternoon held discussions with Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, on how Malawi and ITU can work together to develop information communication technology (ICT) in the country.

Paak Foundation targets 100 underprivileged communities with improved water access

After successfully opening a free tailoring school at Nsaru Trading Centre in Lilongwe, Paak Foundation has now disclosed plans to drill and install a borehole each in 100 underprivileged rural communities across Malawi.