Germany, Norway commit to maternal health

Germany and Royal Norwegian governments have pledged to continue supporting the country’s health sector, especially the Results-Based Funding for Maternal and Newborn Health (RBF4MNH) programme.

Speaking in Dedza on Wednesday when German Ambassador Juergen Borsch and Norwegian Embassy deputy head of mission Bjarne Garden joined Minister of Health Atupele Muluzi when he visited Dedza District Hospital, Borsch said his government is willing to have RBF4MNH programme scaled up nationwide.

“Through the Health Service Joint Fund, we are already committed to helping Malawi’s health sector, but for the RBF4MNH programme, we are just waiting for government to express interest so that it can be scaled up in a more sustained manner,” Borsch said.

He said Germany will continue being one of the biggest advocates for the programme.

However, the envoy said the Malawi Government needs to own it through a commitment and soon there will be government to government consultations.

In his remarks, Garden said funding towards the health sector is an investment rather than a cost because alternative costs incurred if the disease burden is high is much cheaper to prevent than to repair.

Minister of Health Atupele Muluzi said government was excited with the news that the two major donors were willing to continue funding the programme.

“RBF4MNH has reduced maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity in the four participating districts so it is encouraging that donors are willing to have it scaled-up to other districts.

“The national budget provides 12 percent of the resources in the health sector while donor partners contribute 75 percent. We are focusing on ensuring that the resources we have are used for the intended benefit,” Muluzi said. n