Schapen

Healthprogramme Malawi

ThemeBasic Healthcare - HIV/AIDS
CountryMalawi
RegionAfrica
Program nameHealthprogramme Malawi
Financed partnersUchembere Network, LISAP, World Alive Malawi

Context

At macro level Malawi has a severe HIV/AIDS epidemic loosing over 80,000 people annually and generating an equal number of orphans, both having a macro-economic impact. At meso level there is a chronic shortage of trained health staff, leading to low level of health services. At the micro level main causes of HIV are: limited scope to negotiate protected sex by females due to gender power imbalances; multiple and concurrent sexual partnerships; unprotected sex within marriage (where one partner is HIV positive); low prevalence of male circumcision; low and inconsistent condom use. Early child bearing, high fertility rate and harmful traditional practices contribute to high vulnerability of women and girls.


Aim of the programme

The strategy of the local partners is to support self reliance and community based health care through community groups such as Village Development Committees, Village Health Committees, PLWHIV Groups and religious congregations and to assist in creating stronger links between the community level and district/state level in order to be effective in lobby & advocacy. The Uchembere network of church related organizations focuses on maternal health. Lobby and advocacy is an important part of the intervention, but not focused on budget tracking (as this is already done by Malawi Health Equity Network - MHEN) Lobby and advocacy focus i.e. on harmful religious practices, access to medicine, and youth friendly health services.


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