National Health Policy “Towards Universal Health Coverage”.

The National Health Policy “Towards Universal Health Coverage” provides policy direction on key issues that are central to the development and functioning of the health system in Malawi and will be implemented between 2018 and 2030 to align it with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation period. The Policy will be reviewed after every five years. The Policy has been developed in line with the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi and with the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS).
The Policy outlines a coordinated approach to be employed by the Government of Malawi to achieve the health sector goals, which are: to improve the health status of all Malawians; to ensure that the population is satisfied with the health services that they receive; and to ensure that the population does not suffer avoidable financial and social risks in the process of accessing health care at any level of the health care delivery system. The National Health Policy will be implemented through the following priority areas: Health Service Delivery; Preventive Health and Social Determinants for Health; Leadership and Governance; Health Financing; Human Resources for Health; Medicines, Medical Supplies, Medical Equipment and Infrastructure; Population Management; and Health Information and Research.
initiatives include: Promote active community participation in the delivery of health services; Strengthen partnerships with private health care providers, including those offering specialized services, to expand equitable access to essential health care; Promote nutritional and food safety throughout the life-course; Promote water quality surveillance, good sanitation and hygiene practices through community led sanitation and sanitation marketing; Promote the adoption of safe water and sanitation practices at individual and household levels; Strengthen disaster, outbreak and epidemic preparedness and response; Improve management and disposal of both liquid and solid waste; Strengthen mechanisms for addressing health inequalities and safeguarding human rights, including for women, youths, the elderly and other vulnerable persons; Enhance pro-active risk assessment and management; Strengthen financial, procurement and supply chain management at all levels; Promote efficient public private partnerships and corporate social responsibility; Strengthen mechanisms for equitable and efficient allocation of health resources; Strengthen stewardship and governance of HRH to ensure adherence to regulations and professional work ethics at all levels of the health system; etc.