Germany provides K1.5bn for reproductive health
Germany has provided K1.5 billion towards the Malawi-German Health Programme (MGHP).
The programme, which will be funded through Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), aims to strengthen reproductive health and improve maternal and newborn health services in the country.
MGHP team leader Dr Ruth Hildebrandt told journalists at the launch of the programme in Lilongwe on Wednesday that the initiative will lead to improved availability of medical devices for emergency obstetric care, increased number of health care facilities that provide professional services and availability of maintenance staff for medical equipment.
Hildebrandt stated that the donation signifies her government’s commitment to complementing government efforts in promoting reproductive health services in the country.
“The programme will focus on family planning; on which we are not really working, but most importantly maternal health. So, the health of pregnant women during labour and delivery and the newborns are our focus.”
Principal for College of Medicine (CoM), Dr. Mwapatsa Mipando, said the programme had come at the right time when Malawi is consolidating efforts to address challenges besetting the reproductive health sector.
Mipando disclosed that the college also stands to benefit through acquisition of technical and academic skills from specialist doctors GIZ deploys to Malawi.
Meanwhile, Hildebrandt disclosed that the project will run for the next two years.
