Health Activists ask government to prioritize health workers

Health rights activists have called on government to massively invest in the welfare of health personnel, if the country is to have a robust health system.

Speaking to radio Islam on the sidelines of the two day workshop on human resource for health HRH and sexual reproductive health SRH for the media in Liwonde, executive director for Patient and Community Welfare Foundation in Malawi, Amade Alide, said the focus on the curative part of the health system has greatly crippled efforts to retain and improve welfare of health workers.

He said health personnel are a critical element of a health system hence need for government to improve and control the pilferage of health resources in a bid to improve the health system.

“The workshop was organised by AMREF Health Africa, an international organisation which is implementing health related programs aimed at strengthening health systems in countries,” said Alide.

In Malawi, Amref health Africa is supporting six programs including trachoma elimination, e-learning for health workers, and the HRH AND SRH initiatives.

Benedict Chinsakaso is Program Manager for health systems advocacy at Amref health and he explains why AMREF Health is sponsoring the human rights for health HRH and sexual reproductive health SRH programs.

Currently, Malawi sexual reproductive health rights which is a coalition of six organisations promoting sexual reproductive health has commended AMREF health for the partnership.