UNICEF hands 320 million kwacha medical supplies to Malawi

United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has handed over Medical Supplies and Motorcycles worth K320 million to Ministry of Health.

During the ceremony UNICEF Malawi Representative, Rudolf Schwenk said they procured the supplies with support of Gavi, vaccine alliance and Rockefeller foundation.

He said they are together helping health workers to save lives of thousands of children from the burden of common childhood disease.

“Communities are central to improve overall strengthening of health systems and improve health outcomes to all children,” Schwenk

He pledged to continue working hand in hand with government and other partners to mobilize resources and technical support to sustain and build a healthy Malawi, for very child.

Minister of Health, Khumbize Chiponda said equity in the access of health services in the country remains a great challenge.

She said her Ministry was collaborating with partners to explore equity access to basic health services among all Malawians especially for those who live in hard to reach rural areas, where access to health services was still a challenge

“84 percent of the population in the country is living in rural areas and 24 percent of them are not living with eight kilometres of a health facility,” Chiponda

The Minister thanked UNICEF for continued support to the health sector saying it has made significant contribution towards key priorities to support the attainment of community health vision of improving the livelihoods of people in the country.

She said UNICEF has provided various support in the implementation of integrated Community Health services delivery Model initiative in Kasungu and Mangochi districts.

She urged officials at district level to ensure that the items are used for the intended purposes for the benefit of the people in the hard to reach areas.