projects_hsjf

The Government of Malawi (GoM) is committed to provide equitable access to quality healthcare services to all Malawians as provided within the constitution of Republic of Malawi 1. This commitment is often grappled by chronic shortage of financial resources as evidenced in the government’s inability, over the years, to commit up to 15 percent of its annual budget to healthcare services provision as promised in the Abuja Declaration in 20012. 

In an effort to supplement this funding gap, healthcare financing has traditionally depended on donor partners (DPs) who support up to two-thirds of total healthcare expenditure3. Amid this chronic financial-resource gap, there is also significant evidence pointing to inefficient financial management which is further exacerbating the situation and crippling healthcare service provision, the ‘Cashgate Scandal’ that was busted in 2013. The Cashgate Scandal highlighted weaknesses in Malawi’s public financial management and subsequently led to cessation of the health sector budget support by the DPs4,5.

As a way of addressing financial mismanagement and supplementation of funding gaps, GoM and DPs mainly the government of Norway, Germany and Britain, established a Health Services Joint Fund (HSJF) in 2015. At the onset, the Flanders Government was involved but only during the first year, however, the HSJF is open to other funders if interested to join. The primary objective of HSJF has been to continue supporting health priority areas in Malawi, as stipulated in the HSSP, while improving governance and management of funds. Over the years the fund has supported both the HSSP I (2011-2016) and the just ending HSSP II (2017-2021, currently HSJF is providing technical support to the current HSSP III (2022-2026).