By Leonard Masauli

Minister of Health Khumbize Chiponda

Lilongwe, Mana: Minister of Health, Khumbize Chiponda has expressed satisfaction with progress made by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Onse Project, saying it has improved access and quality of health services in the country.

Through the project, scores of health facilities have been constructed and rehabilitated across the country.

Chiponda made the remarks on the sidelines of a dissemination conference to mark the end of Organized Network of Services for Everyone’s Health Activity (ONSE) Project at Sun Bird Capital Hotel in Lilongwe on Monday.

The minister said the funds to the tune of over K100 billion to Onse Project has helped the country to strengthen health systems as well as construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure across the country.

“The project has also increased access; improved quality and increased demand for services in family planning and reproductive health; maternal, newborn and child health; nutrition, malaria and water, sanitation and hygiene.

“Apart from that, on infrastructure, Onse Project has assisted with construction as well as rehabilitation of health posts as well as accessibility of the actual services in the rural communities by providing village clinics to make sure the services are close to the people,” said Chiponda.

She further commended the US Government through the project for giving a hand when COVID-19 hit Malawi and constructing the first holding shield at Kamuzu Central Hospital; training COVID-19 vaccinators.

USAID, through the project, also assisted the country when it was struck by cyclones Idai and Gombe.

Speaking earlier, United States Ambassador to Malawi, David Young, said the US Government is committed to improving health services to reduce maternal and newborn illnesses as well as child illnesses in Malawi.

“Over USD100 million (K100 billion) has been invested in 16 districts to make a difference in the lives of mothers and children in the country.

“The US Government and Malawi work hand in hand to extend health services to vulnerable communities.

“Today, I am very excited as we recognise the extraordinary achievements over the past six years in the partnership of Onse Project and the Malawi Government,” said Young.

The ambassador also highlighted the project’s provision of mentorship to nurses to manage complications; renovated 17 health centres and constructed water supply systems in 78 health centres as well as drilling 219 boreholes in the communities.

USAID-Onse Project Chief of Party in Malawi, Dr Ann Phoya, also recognised project progress of improved health access and improved quality of health services by making sure that health systems are functional at district level.

Phoya further said the project has also assisted to empower communities to demand health services and to take part in the delivery of such services.

The USAID-funded Onse Project was launched in November, 2016 and is expected to end on June 30, 2022.

It was implemented in Karonga, Chitipa, Balaka, Nkhata Bay, Chikwawa, Machinga, Mangochi, Mulanje, Mchinji, Nkhotakota, Ntcheu, Salima, Dowa, Kasungu, Lilongwe and Zomba.

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