Print this page

Low SRH Funding Worries Mulanje CSOs

Interface meeting between Civil Society Organizations Network in Mulanje and officials from the district health office Interface meeting between Civil Society Organizations Network in Mulanje and officials from the district health office - pic by Hastings Jimani

Mulanje District Council has expressed worry over low funding towards Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH).

In the first 6 months of the 2020/2021 financial year, the Council only received K100 thousand for SRH activities by the District Implementation Plan.

During a Thursday interface meeting between Civil Society Organizations Network in Mulanje and officials from the district health office, CSO’s Chairperson, Saiti Chikwapulo, doubted if SRH issues are at all priorities in the district, which is registering high rate of early pregnancies.

“We are all aware of increasing cases of early pregnancies in the district and with the little funds going towards SRH, I don’t think we can reduce these pregnancies.

“We therefore ask both Capitol Hill and the district council (health sector) to consider allocating adequate funds to SRH,” said Chikwapulo.  

Health Services Administrator at Mulanje District Hospital, Felix Monia, confirmed the low funding on SRH activities, but disclosed that the health office relies on support from partners that are implementing SRH projects in the district.

“SRH is among our priorities and we have a lot of partners in this area, so together we make strides in addressing SRH challenges,” said Monia. 

The interface meeting followed a budget analysis tracking the CSO network undertook in partnership with Malawi Health Equity Network under its Christian Aid funded social accountability on SRH and COVID-19.

MHEN Program Manager, Davies Mwechumu, said if indeed SRH is among the health sector’s priorities, then they could have allocated more to this area and not such meager K100, 000 for solid six months.

“They are talking of partners but the DIP does not mention any partner that has supported the sector in SRH; let alone; mention their support and as it is one can conclude that SRH is running with K100, 000 up to June,” said Mwechumu. 

Authorities have since pledged to tirelessly work towards pushing for adequate funding.

Read 2187 times
Login to post comments