Attachments
The WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) 2024–2028 is the fourth in the series and it is aligned with the Malawi Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP) III, the World Health Organization (WHO) regional and global agendas, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It reflects the broad priorities of WHO as outlined in its Thirteenth General Programme of Work (GPW 13) with a focus on improving access to universal health coverage (UHC), protecting people from health emergencies and improving people’s health and well-being.
Despite the multiple emergencies it has faced, Malawi has achieved significant strides in improving health outcomes over the years. Significant progress has been registered in addressing communicable diseases. Mortality due to malaria declined by 63.5% from 23 deaths per 100 000 population in 2016 to 8.4 in 20231 HIV-related mortality decreased by over 50% between 2010 and 2020 and TB mortality by 43% from the 2015 baseline to 32 per 100 000 population in 2021. In addition, two debilitating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), that is lymphatic filariasis and trachoma, were eliminated in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Progress was also registered in maternal and child health.
Despite the gains, communicable diseases and maternal and neonatal issues still pose significant health challenges and constitute the leading causes of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) in Malawi. Key gaps in emergency preparedness and response exist and remain critical, given the vulnerability of Malawi to multiple infectious disease and climatic hazards. In addition, noncommunicable diseases are a fast-growing cause of mortality and morbidity in Malawi, making up an increasing share of the current burden of disease.