Malawi health sector is one of a kind in the world espcially for a nation considered to be among the poorest. Malawians are previliged to be receiving free healthcare in public clinics and hospitals.
Time has come when aid should not be paying for our health services. It might seem harsh but we should now learn to fund our health sector using local resources. If the Malawi government charges lets say MK20.00 on all payslips as one way of funding or companies should contribute atleast 0,05% of their wage bill to the national health fund. Funding can come from the Malawi revenue authority should commit atleast 5% of their collection to the national health fund.
The purpose of the National health fund is to fund the health sector using local resources. Some of its functions and duties
- fund the maintance of all public clinics and hospitals.
- Procurement of medications.
- Procurement of uniforms for healthcare workers.
- Procurement of food for Central and District hospitals.
- buy beds and all furnish required.
And all other requirements that need huge financing. Health care sector salaries should not come from the national health fund there should continue under the Civil service salaries so as to not over burden the national health fund with a wage bill.
The management of the national health fund should be based on merit and not political appeasement. To be transparent with citizens hard earned money the management should be accountable to parliament once a month and also all accounting and audit reports should be made public.
