China supports upgrades for 20 health facilities in Malawi

The Government of China has granted Malawi K3.5 billion (US$ 2,024,812.68) through UNICEF to implement health interventions aimed at reducing the death of babies and mothers in vulnerable communities in Nkhata Bay, Balaka and Mwanza districts over two years.

The initiative, titled “Accelerating the Reduction of Preventable Maternal and Newborn Deaths from the Most Vulnerable Communities in Malawi,” is expected to benefit about 200,000 people, including more than 50,000 pregnant women and close to 39,000 new babies in the three districts.

By strengthening the primary healthcare system, the project will enhance access to both basic and comprehensive emergency health care services for babies and mothers, improve the quality of maternal and newborn care and address gaps in practices for supporting newborns and mothers.

The Minister of Health and Sanitation, Honourable Madalitso Baloyi, said the funding comes at an opportune time when Malawi is intensifying efforts to prevent deaths of mothers and infants.

“This initiative will significantly strengthen essential healthcare and service delivery for expectant mothers and newborns in our most vulnerable communities. It will reinforce primary healthcare systems to improve both access and quality of maternal and newborn care in the three targeted districts,” said Baloyi.

Chinese Ambassador to Malawi, Her Excellency Lu Xu said China is proud to stand with Malawi in this vital initiative and support vulnerable mothers and children.

“By investing in maternal and newborn health, we are investing in the future of Malawi. This partnership reflects our shared vision of solidarity, development and the protection of the most vulnerable people,” she said.

UNICEF Representative Dr. Penelope Campbell said every mother and child has the right to survive and thrive, commending China for the grant that safeguards the rights and survival of children and mothers.

“This partnership empowers us to deliver critical, life-saving interventions directly to the communities that need them most”, said Dr. Campbell. “By leveraging both established health facility services and community outreach platforms, we are not only expanding access to care but also taking a pivotal step toward eliminating preventable deaths among mothers and babies in Malawi.”

Malawi has made significant progress in reducing maternal and child deaths, but maternal mortality ratio is 224 per 100,000 - more than three times the UN SDG target of 70/100,000.

At the same time, 24 newborns die in their first month out of every 1,000 births, double the UN target of 12.

These deaths are largely preventable, and the grant will help to reduce them by improving availability of life-saving equipment and medicines and strengthening referring patients from communities to hospitals.

With this funding, UNICEF will, among other interventions, upgrade maternity and newborn wards in 20 health facilities across the three districts, supply essential medicines and equipment, and train community health workers to better support mothers and babies.