By Linda Kwanjana
Minister of Finance Joseph Mathyola Mwanamveka has commended Norwegian Government for the financial support rendered to Malawi.
Mwanamveka said this at Capital Hill in Lilongwe during the signing ceremony of $19million bilateral agreements.
The Minister said the signing of this Bilateral Grant Agreement with the Norwegian Government amounting to 195 million Norwegian Krone (about US$19.5 million, approximately MKW34.1 billion) will help financing the Health Services Joint Fund (HSJF).
“On behalf of the State President of the Republic of Malawi, His Excellency Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika, and the people of Malawi, I wish to express our profound gratitude to the Royal Norwegian Embassy for this timely intervention,” he said.
Mwanamveka said this grant will go a long way towards fulfilling objectives identified in the Health Sector Strategic Plan III. He said the agreement re-affirms Norway’s trust in the progress being made in the health sector and in the Government efforts to strengthening public financial management systems and good governance.
The HSJF was established in 2015, with Norway as one of four founding partners (alongside German KfW, the United Kingdom, and the Flemish Government). Since inception, the fund has mobilized over US$182 million to support Malawi’s health priorities.
The Kingdom of Norway, through the Royal Norwegian Embassy (RNE), has made significant contributions since 2015. The support to the Health Sector Joint Fund is a model of effective aid as it is channelled through government systems.
According to the minister , this approach strengthens Malawi’s procurement and financial management systems. It also aligns with Malawi’s Health Sector Strategic Plans (HSSP II & III), which aims for universal health coverage and improved health outcomes.
Mwanamveka high highlighted few areas of achievements made in the health sector under the HSJF using grants from partners like Norway.
These include CT scanner for Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH),
Established Neurosurgery Services at QECH, including procurement and installation of equipment.
Malawi has also procured advanced equipment for the Lilongwe Institute of Neurosurgery and Orthopedics (LION) at Kamuzu Central Hospital as well as construction of new health centers at Chilinde, Chiponde, Nancholi, Khwisa, and Makina—serving over 150,000 people.
During the ceremony Minister of Health, Madalitso Chidumu Baloyi commended the Norwegian Government for the support.
Baloyi said the donation will go a long way in enhancing quality health services.
