As a first step in Britain's pledge to increase aid to Africa in 2005 the UK Government today announced a six year £100m programme of support to the health service in Malawi.
The UK Department for International Development (DFID) will help provide free antiretroviral treatment for more people living with HIV from next year, fund measures to reduce mother and child deaths and invest in better training and higher salaries for doctors, nurses and other health workers. To help fill the current level of vacancies, the programme will also fund volunteer doctors and nurses who will start arriving in 6 months to fill critical posts.
The programme will increase the UK's spending in Malawi by 50 per cent and will result in a 30 per cent rise in Malawi's total health budget.
Hilary Benn said:
"Malawi lacks many of the staff it needs and life expectancy has declined from 48 years in 1990 to 39 years in 2000. A properly resourced health service is crucial if Malawi is to cut the number of children dying before their fifth birthday, and the number of women dying in childbirth, and to provide treatment for Malawians living with HIV. This is a practical response to a public health emergency and it will help save lives. It also offers an innovative solution to the shortage of health workers by paying volunteer doctors and nurse tutors to fill posts."
Notes to Editors
1. DFID's £100m health package comprises £45m Essential Health Package to reduce child and maternal mortality, to treat AIDS and to help reduce HIV infections and to reduce tuberculosis, plus £55m Emergency Human Resource Programme to attract and retain health workers and to expand training.
2. This will increase DFID's spending on health in Malawi by 50 per cent to £18m per year.
3. DFID will pool its funds with the World Bank and Norway to support the budget of Malawi's Ministry of Health.
4. The UK is committed to increase our support to Africa to £1.25 billion by 2007/08.
5. The internationally agreed Millennium Development Goals to be achieved by 2015 seek to:
a. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
b. Achieve universal primary education
c. Promote gender equality and empower women
d. Reduce child mortality
e. Improve maternal health
f. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
g. Ensure environmental sustainability
h. Develop a global partnership for development
For further information please contact the DFID press office on 0207 023 0600.