World Health Organization Malawi Country Office (WCO) held a consultation meeting with Ministry of Health on 26th November 2021 at Sunbird Hotel in Blantyre to plan for a new biennium. The aim of the meeting was to align country priority areas with WHO workplans for 2022-2023 programme budget. The WHO planning and budgeting runs in two-year cycles (biennium) and the current biennial plan 2020-2021 ends on 31st December 2021. Through the consultation meeting, WCO and the Ministry selected relevant outcomes and outputs from the 13th General Programme Work, set implementation timeframe and reviewed the prescribed key performance indicators for identified priority areas. In addition, the joint monitoring modalities were agreed upon.

In attendance, at the consultation meeting, were Secretary for Health and top officials from the Ministry of Health, acting WHO Representative for Malawi Dr Janet Kayita and WCO technical staff.

The World Health Organization is the key United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health. 

“WHO functions well when there is teamwork and coordination with member state. The consultation meeting provides an opportunity to reflect on how WHO and the Ministry can work together more effectively. Our Triple Billion targets outline an ambitious plan for the world to achieve good health for all, using science-based policies and programmes. All this can only be achieved if WHO and the Ministry align priorities that serve the people of Malawi.” Said Acting WR, Dr Janet Kayita.

According to the Ministry of Health Secretary for Health Dr Charles Mwansambo, the Ministry of Health recognizes the role that WHO plays in providing technical support and guidelines that has led to the country registering a lot of positive health outcomes. “The review meeting has come at a right time when the Ministry of Health is reviewing Health Sector Strategic Plan II. The meeting will give a great platform to identify national health priorities that accelerate the attainment of highest possible level of health for all in Malawi. The Ministry will continue to align its programs to the global recommendations from WHO secretariat.”

For the World Health Organization to deliver better results, the organization applies result-based management framework. WHO’s results-based management framework is informed by the vision and strategic direction set in the General Programme of Work (GPW). The full cycle is completed by the monitoring and evaluation to assess the achievement of results and applying these results to re-plan and implement in a continuous organizational learning manner.