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Schroeder, Larry. "Social funds and local government: the case of Malawi." Public Administration and Development 20, no. 5 (December 2000): 423–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pad.148.
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Kaunda, Jonathan Mayuyuka. "State Centralization and the Decline of Local Government in Malawi." International Review of Administrative Sciences 65, no. 4 (December 1999): 579–95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0020852399654004.
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Dulani, Boniface, and Kim Yi Dionne. "Presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections in Malawi, May 2014." Electoral Studies 36 (December 2014): 218–25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2014.08.005.
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Cooper, Chelsea M., Jacqueline Wille, Steven Shire, Sheila Makoko, Asnakew Tsega, Anne Schuster, Hannah Hausi, Hannah Gibson, and Hannah Tappis. "Integrated Family Planning and Immunization Service Delivery at Health Facility and Community Sites in Dowa and Ntchisi Districts of Malawi: A Mixed Methods Process Evaluation." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 12 (June 24, 2020): 4530. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17124530.
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The Government of Malawi’s Health Sector Strategic Plan II highlights the importance of service integration; however, in practice, this has not been fully realized. We conducted a mixed methods evaluation of efforts to systematically implement integrated family planning and immunization services in all health facilities and associated community sites in Ntchisi and Dowa districts during June 2016–September 2017. Methods included secondary analysis of service statistics (pre- and postintervention), focus group discussions with mothers and fathers of children under age one, and in-depth interviews with service providers, supervisors, and managers. Results indicate statistically significant increases in family planning users and shifts in use of family planning services from health facilities to community sites. The intervention had no effect on immunization doses administered or dropout rates. According to mothers and fathers, benefits of service integration included time savings, convenience, and improved understanding of services. Provision and use of integrated services were affected by availability of human resources and commodities, community linkages, data collection procedures and availability, sociocultural barriers, organization of services, and supervision and commitment of health surveillance assistants. The integration approach was perceived to be feasible and beneficial by clients and providers.
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Tambulasi, Richard I. C. "Local Government Without Governance: A New Institutional Perspective of Local Governance Policy Paralysis in Malawi." Public Policy and Administration 26, no. 3 (December 14, 2010): 333–52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0952076710374915.
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Malanga, Donald Flywell, and Benard CG Kamanga. "E-records readiness at Karonga District Council in Malawi." Information Development 35, no. 3 (March 27, 2018): 482–91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0266666918766971.
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This study assessed e-records readiness at Karonga District Council (KDC) as one of the local government authorities in Malawi. The study employed a descriptive survey design where a survey questionnaire was used to collect data. Altogether, 56 staff were sampled randomly and purposively. The staff comprised principal officers, records clerks, ICT personnel and other action officers. The study revealed that e-records readiness at KDC was low and evolving as evident by the presence of e-record products and technologies, which were largely inadequate and obsolete. The study also established that there was inadequate and poor adherence to policies, standards and procedures for e-records management practices. Furthermore, responsibilities for e-records management were not clear. There was no established records management programme. Therefore, the study recommends the development of e-records management policy; recruitment of more staff; regular training in e-records products and other emerging technologies; mobilization of more resources required for management of records; and increasing awareness of the role of records management. This should be supported by the top management at the District Council and the Ministry of Local Government at large.
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Chasukwa, Michael, and Dan Banik. "Bypassing Government: Aid Effectiveness and Malawi’s Local Development Fund." Politics and Governance 7, no. 2 (June 5, 2019): 103–16. http://dx.doi.org/10.17645/pag.v7i2.1854.
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Many practical and action-oriented international roadmaps to improve the quality of aid and its delivery and impact on development—including the Paris Declaration, Accra Agenda for Action, and Busan Partnership—emphasize a more active involvement of domestic institutions and procedures. Despite widespread agreement among both donor and recipient countries on this issue, we find that aid often tends to bypass national institutional structures. This practice is sometimes justified on grounds of high levels of political and administrative corruption and weak implementation capacity in recipient country bureaucracies. We examine how and to what extent multilateral and bilateral development agencies bypass national and local government institutions while channeling aid and the impact of such practices on aid effectiveness in Africa. Based on an empirical study of project aid and budget support provided to Malawi by the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the German Economic Group, we argue that earmarked funding, specialized procurement arrangements, and the proliferation of Project Management Units are among the mechanisms used to circumvent the involvement of national institutions. We conclude that while such practices may achieve short-term gains by displaying successful and visible ‘donorship’, the long-term impact is more uncertain. The bypassing of local institutions results in fragmentation of aid, lack of coordination among aid industry actors, and a general weakening of policy space and domestic capacity to formulate and implement development policy.
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Kita, Stern Mwakalimi. "“Government Doesn't Have the Muscle”: State, NGOs, Local Politics, and Disaster Risk Governance in Malawi." Risk, Hazards & Crisis in Public Policy 8, no. 3 (July 1, 2017): 244–67. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/rhc3.12118.
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Kalipeni, Ezekiel, and Deborah Feder. "A Political Ecology Perspective on Environmental Change in Malawi with the Blantyre Fuelwood Project Area as a Case Study." Politics and the Life Sciences 18, no. 1 (March 1999): 37–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0730938400023546.
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This article examines deforestation-induced environmental change in the Southern Region of Malawi. The political ecology approach is used to critique this change, assessing how colonial and postcolonial forestry policies affected the landscape. It is argued that non-participatory, “top-down” government programs disempowered Malawi's peoples and allowed the environment to degrade. The Blantyre Fuelwood Project shows how the politics of land use predicate environmental change. It is argued that government implemented, “top-down” approaches failed because they did not integrate local communities. The result has been local opposition to government programs, passive resistance, and deteriorating environmental conditions. The article critiques Malawi's forestry policies since colonial times, analyzes the political ecology of the Blantyre Fuelwood Project, and concludes with the hope that newly implemented “bottom-up” programs that incorporate local communities will make Malawi's environment more sustainable.
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de Kok, Bregje Christina, Isabelle Uny, Mari Immamura, Jacqueline Bell, Jane Geddes, and Ann Phoya. "From Global Rights to Local Relationships: Exploring Disconnects in Respectful Maternity Care in Malawi." Qualitative Health Research 30, no. 3 (October 23, 2019): 341–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1049732319880538.
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Widespread reports of “disrespect and abuse” in maternity wards in low- and middle-income countries have triggered the development of rights-based respectful maternity care (RMC) standards and initiatives. To explore how international standards translate into local realities, we conducted a team ethnography, involving observations in labor wards in government facilities in central Malawi, and interviews and focus groups with midwives, women, and guardians. We identified a dual disconnect between, first, universal RMC principles and local notions of good care and, second, between midwives and women and guardians. The latter disconnect pertains to fraught relationships, reproduced by and manifested in mechanistic care, mutual responsibilization for trouble, and misunderstandings and distrust. RMC initiatives should be tailored to local contexts and midwife-client relationships. In a hierarchical, resource-strapped context like Malawi, promoting mutual love, understanding, and collaboration may be a more productive way to stimulate “respectful” care than the current emphasis on formal rights and respect.
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Manda, Mtafu Zeleza. "Where there is no local government: addressing disaster risk reduction in a small town in Malawi." Environment and Urbanization 26, no. 2 (May 12, 2014): 586–99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0956247814530949.
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MKANDAWIRE, MARTIN, and BEN YASSIN. "DECENTRALISATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN MALAWI: LESSONS FROM DONOR-SUPPORTED PROJECTS." Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management 06, no. 01 (March 2004): 51–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/s1464333204001596.
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Malawi entered a formalisation of a decentralised administration structure through the enactment of the Local Government Act of 1998. The environmental implications and obligations are stated in the Environmental Management Act 1996, which also mandates the Environmental Affairs Department as the co-ordinator for environmental management. Both acts devolve environmental management responsibilities to the District Assemblies. Donors (i.e., UNDP and DANIDA) sponsored and facilitated environmental management decentralisation through projects that strengthened legal and institutional framework, and built capacity. A few of lessons have been learnt from the process, and some are outlined in this paper e.g. the need for capacity building, harmonisation of the major statutes, and institutions where to anchor the mainstreamed decentralised environmental management functions. Other lessons include lack of delineation between devolution and deconcentration leading to local participation apathy, different policies among donor agencies resulted in implementation difficulties, and uncertainty in continuity of the initiative e.g. closure of DANIDA activities resulted in almost halt to the decentralisation of environmental management.
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Munthali, Simon M. "Traditional and modern wildlife conservation in Malawi – the need for an integrated approach." Oryx 27, no. 3 (July 1993): 185–87. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0030605300028003.
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Traditional wildlife conservation has remained effective in Malawi for more than a century despite great cultural changes. The modern approach, based on a system of protected areas controlled by the government, has been less effective. It has failed to gain the support of local people and the result has been much illicit encroachment into protected areas. For the future, a solution needs to be found that integrates modern and traditional conservation with rural economic development.
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Soublière, Jean-François, and Charlotte Cloutier. "Explaining Levels of Local Government Involvement in Service Delivery: The Dynamics of Cross-Sector Partnerships in Malawi." Public Administration and Development 35, no. 3 (June 22, 2015): 192–205. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pad.1715.
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Masambuka-Kanchewa, Fallys, Mary Rodriguez, Emily Buck, Jera Niewoehner-Green, and Alexa Lamm. "Impact of Agricultural Communication Interventions on Improving Agricultural Productivity in Malawi." Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education 27, no. 3 (August 19, 2020): 116–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.5191/jiaee.2020.273116.
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Agricultural communication (AGCOM) has been known to aid in disseminating research-based agricultural information among Malawian farmers. In 1958 the Malawi Government, via the Ministry of Agriculture, established the Agricultural Communications Branch (ACB) in an attempt to increase access to and adoption of scientifically-proven technologies among farmers. Moreover, in 2000 the Malawi Government started implementing an agricultural extension policy that promoted pluralistic demand-driven extension, which led to the increased availability of non-governmental organizations providing AGCOM services to farmers. However, after several decades of using different communication tools to promote new technologies, low productivity in most small holder farms remains a challenge, with limited adoption of improved technology as one of the contributing factors. In this exploratory, convergent, mixed methods study, 30 Malawian farmers and six AGCOM officers who were selected using convenient and snow ball sampling respectively participated in key informant interviews. In addition, 64 AGCOM officers who were selected using simple random sampling were involved in a survey. The findings of the study revealed that information delivered to farmers does not address farmer needs in most cases. Specifically, existing policies, source and availability of funding, and the agricultural calendar influenced choice of information that was disseminated. For example, the existing policy does not allow AGCOM officers to disseminate local and innovative farmer practices unless they are tested and approved by scientists. Such policies, perpetuates a mindset among farmers that innovations originate from outside their communities, thereby making it hard for them to share their local, indigenous ideas with their colleagues. Moreover, it has contributed to the inability of AGCOM to be used as an innovation creation tool, hence AGCOMs’ limited impact. Keywords: adoption, improved technologies, agricultural communication, increased productivity, information dissemination
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Manda, Mtafu, and Elijah Wanda. "Understanding the nature and scale of risks in Karonga, Malawi." Environment and Urbanization 29, no. 1 (March 17, 2017): 15–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0956247817692200.
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The urban centre of Karonga in Malawi experiences many large and small disasters, including earthquakes, strong winds and floods. Inhabitants also face such everyday risks as unsafe water, poor-quality sanitation and widespread use of dirty fuels within households. However, the nature and scale of the risks are poorly understood. Based on data from 380 systematically selected households in Karonga, this paper explores the frequency and impacts of small and large disasters and everyday risks, finding informal settlements in flood zones to be most affected. Impacts vary according to differences in levels of income, planning and housing status, access to water, sanitation and the type of energy used by households. Attempts to reduce and respond to disaster risk are affected by weak governance structures. The knowledge can create the basis for capacity building at both the community and local government levels.
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Bello, Felix G., Brent Lovelock, and Neil Carr. "Enhancing community participation in tourism planning associated with protected areas in developing countries: Lessons from Malawi." Tourism and Hospitality Research 18, no. 3 (May 10, 2016): 309–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1467358416647763.
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Most studies on community participation in tourism planning only advocate the importance of the concept and/or identify barriers without articulating the required actions or strategies to actually promote community participation. Based on a study in two protected areas in Malawi, this paper identifies and discusses possible strategies that can enhance community participation in tourism planning associated with protected areas in developing countries. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The study participants were from protected area management agencies, government departments, non-governmental organisations, tourism operators and the local population surrounding the two protected areas. The findings suggest the need for a rethink on how local communities around protected areas are involved in tourism planning in developing country contexts. Six strategies emerged as major prerequisites to achieve full and active community participation: public awareness and education; capacity building; creation of linkages; use of appropriate participation methods; involvement of appropriate local community organisations and decentralisation and coordination of relevant management organisations.
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William Kayuni, Steven. "Running to stand still: reflections on the cashgate scandal heist in Malawi." Journal of Money Laundering Control 19, no. 2 (May 3, 2016): 169–88. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jmlc-04-2015-0014.
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Purpose In September, 2013 following a police tip, a government accounts clerk was found with huge sums of cash amounting to US$300,000 in his car, and a week later, Malawi’s Budget Director (Treasury Official) was fatally shot outside his home. These two incidents unravelled what would later be famously known as the “Cashgate Scandal” that leading to revelations of fraud amounting to US$32 million, an amount representing almost 1 per cent of Malawi’s annual GDP in merely six months. As a result, donors withdrew their annual 40 per cent budgetary support. A lot of people (almost 70) in both public and private sector found with both cash in local or foreign currency were arrested. An independent audit report by Baker Tilly, a British accountancy firm, revealed that the fraud and theft was with such sophistication that cheques were issued to private companies for services that had not been rendered to government. Those cheques were cashed, and money was distributed among several people. Those arrested were charged with offences ranging from corruption, abuse of office, theft, theft by public servant, tax evasion and money laundering. This paper aims to analyse the cashgate scandal. It explores the first conviction of these cashgate case series which also happens to be the first ever conviction on money laundering offence in Malawi. It further explores the law likely to apply to the cashgate scandal case series, the opportunities that have been lost and likely stifling implications on the future of the fight against corruption and money laundering offences in Malawi. All law enforcement actors such as the prosecution, defence and the courts have that duty to clarify and implement the common interests of Malawians, namely, the prescriptive purposes of the law in accordance with the expectations of an approximate process that guarantees attainment of human good, i.e. justice. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents the desk research of various journal articles and reports on money laundering in general and Malawi. Further, an analysis of the first money laundering conviction is presented. Findings Malawi is still struggling with enforcement of money laundering offences. Research limitations/implications There was no quantitative research involved. Further, being the first case for litigation and conviction, not much has come up on Malawi’s money laundering practice. Actually, this is likely to be the first article on money laundering and analysis of the cashgate heist. Social implications The paper serves as a learning process for future prosecutions. Originality/value The paper offers a new and novel approach to the fight against money laundering offences and organized criminality in Malawi. Before the Treza Senzani Judgment, Money Laundering Law in Malawi had never been tested before the Courts. Through an exegesis of the Malawi law as regards these offences, the paper adds value to the research and fight against money laundering. It further offers insights into legal interpretation and policy formulation that would enable law enforcement agencies in Malawi to succeed in the fight against such criminality.
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Holm, Rochelle H., and Alice Ngulube Magombo. "Between water stewardship and independent global water certification: learning from smallholder rice farmers, Karonga, Malawi." Waterlines 40, no. 1 (January 1, 2021): 61–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.3362/1756-3488.20-00006.
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Cooperation and locally driven water management are at the forefront of food production water management for smallholder farmers in low-income countries. The aim of this paper was to critically reflect on the experiences of 5,819 smallholder rice farmers in Karonga District, Malawi, who were members of a farmers’ organization that achieved improved water stewardship, but could not achieve Alliance for Water Stewardship certification within a three-year project. The data for this paper were obtained through farmer and stakeholder interviews. The partnership attempted to bring together four parties: academics, farmers, local government, and a non-governmental organization. The farmers were trained by combining stewardship and certification topics through a train-the-trainer approach. The farmers’ organization primarily focuses on agribusiness; therefore, they did not have any water-related data or detailed farm boundaries from the large and dispersed group of farmers and could not obtain a collective water permit. Understanding water governance was difficult for many farmers. Furthermore, moving from stewardship to certification presented some financial challenges. Critical thinking and questioning are required, along with a deeper understanding of the local context, logistical hindrances, priorities, alternatives, culture, and science, to evaluate how projects are designed and partially succeed or fail from the perspective of low-income farmers in the Global South.
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Soublière, Jean-François, and Charlotte Cloutier. "Coordinating cross-sector partnerships for water provision in Malawi." Emerald Emerging Markets Case Studies 5, no. 1 (February 24, 2015): 1–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/eemcs-01-2014-0014.
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Subject area Public sector management, stakeholder management, collaboration and strategy. Study level/applicability Undergraduate (final-year) or master's-level students (Master in Public Administration, Master in Management). Designed for courses in nonprofit management, public administration and/or international development. Can also be used in any course, such as strategic management, sustainable development or corporate social responsibility, that covers stakeholder theory, or stakeholder management as a topic. Case overview Decentralization has changed the way core services are delivered to local populations in sub-Saharan Africa. This in turn has forced nongovernmental organizations, international aid agencies, corporations and other development partners to change the way they engage with government in their shared efforts to help improve the living conditions of people living under the threshold of poverty in this and other parts of the world. This modular ethnographic teaching case uses the specific example of the water sector in Malawi to help highlight the complexity of multiple stakeholder relations in an international development context. Expected learning outcomes Upon completion of this case, students should be able to: identify and understand the different goals and issues that individual stakeholders in cross-sector partnerships are dealing with; identify and understand the power/control dynamics at play in these relationships; analyse the advantages and disadvantages associated with different ways of coordinating multi-stakeholder partnerships; and develop recommendations for structuring multi-stakeholder relationships in developing and emerging markets that balance efficient service provision with concern for individual stakeholder priorities. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
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Cole, Ben, John Pinfold, Goen Ho, and Martin Anda. "Exploring the methodology of participatory design to create appropriate sanitation technologies in rural Malawi." Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development 4, no. 1 (October 21, 2013): 51–61. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/washdev.2013.166.
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The methodologies of demand-led sanitation programmes (including community-led total sanitation [CLTS] and sanitation marketing) encourage participation of users in the design of appropriate sanitation facilities. There has been limited examination of the application of established methodologies in participatory design in the sanitation sector. This paper describes and reflects upon three case studies that applied established participatory design methodologies to create sanitation technologies in rural Malawi. Participants of the design sessions represented two groups: (i) researcher–designers (government staff); and (ii) users (local builders and householders). The methodology created a space to develop a common language between the two groups and allowed an exploration of tensions about the use of sanitation hardware subsidies. The design sessions created a number of innovations including corbelling structures, trapezium shaped bricks and reinforcement of wooden frame structures with sandbags. The paper critically reflects on the processes of participatory design in relation to power, ownership and continued participation.
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Hill, T. R., E. L. Nel, and P. Illgner. "Partnership for Success—Community-Based Economic Development: A Case Study of Ngolowindo Cooperative, Malawi." Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy 25, no. 4 (August 2007): 573–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1068/c8p.
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Africa has a disproportionate share of the world's poorest countries and within this context economically weak states generally lack the ability to provide the ideal level of support and opportunities for their citizens. This paper examines how, in Malawi, a community-based economic development initiative, with the aid of a supportive NGO, has significantly improved rural livelihoods and facilitated market access in the formal market economy. Active government and NGO support for small scale irrigation farming coupled with their encouragement of community development led to the emergence of the Ngolowindo agricultural cooperative which serves as a useful model and example of locality-based development in Africa. After providing a context for the study in terms of both contextual literature and details specific to the Malawian context, the paper examines how the cooperative emerged, how it operates, what role the supporting NGO plays, and how products are sold. The study concludes with an overview of key findings and an examination of the lessons for local development in Africa.
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Meiring, James E., Rodrick Sambakunsi, Elvis Moyo, Theresa Misiri, Felistas Mwakiseghile, Pratiksha Patel, Priyanka Patel, et al. "Community Engagement Before Initiation of Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine Trial in Schools in Two Urban Townships in Blantyre, Malawi: Experience and Lessons." Clinical Infectious Diseases 68, Supplement_2 (March 7, 2019): S146—S153. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciy1110.
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Abstract Background To determine the efficacy of a new typhoid conjugate vaccine in an endemic setting in sub-Saharan Africa, the Typhoid Vaccine Acceleration Consortium is conducting a phase-3 randomized controlled trial in Blantyre, Malawi. This article describes community and stakeholder engagement activities before and during the trial, challenges, and lessons learned. Methods In October 2017, Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust (MLW) organized a wide range of community engagement activities, including meetings with Ministry of Health and Education officials at the district and facility level, local community leadership, and parent teacher association groups. We engaged media outlets to include local and international television, radio, and print media. Community members were informed directly through a study jingle played via loudspeaker from a van and by community-based activities. To review engagement activity effectiveness: The MLW team met to discuss progress and challenges; and a focus group discussion (FGD), consisting of trial staff, sought feedback from the community on each engagement modality. Results The school-based vaccine campaign increased community participation exceeding recruitment targets to date (on average, >200 children/day). Conclusions The FGD concluded that the van and local activities improved awareness and turnout for the trial, but prior engagement with local government and community leadership is an essential mechanism to provide details of the study, answer questions, communicate the value of the study, and address safety concerns. Effective community engagement is essential in a large intervention trial. Multiple channels of communication are required to reach the community and deliver information needed for participation and provide opportunity for dialogue with the trial team.
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Knoblauch, Astrid M., Sara de la Rosa, Judith Sherman, Carla Blauvelt, Charles Matemba, Luciana Maxim, Olivier D. Defawe, et al. "Bi-directional drones to strengthen healthcare provision: experiences and lessons from Madagascar, Malawi and Senegal." BMJ Global Health 4, no. 4 (July 2019): e001541. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001541.
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Drones are increasingly being used globally for the support of healthcare programmes. Madagascar, Malawi and Senegal are among a group of early adopters piloting the use of bi-directional transport drones for health systems in sub-Saharan Africa. This article presents the experiences as well as the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis) of these country projects. Methods for addressing regulatory, feasibility, acceptability, and monitoring and evaluation issues are presented to guide future implementations. Main recommendations for governments, implementers, drone providers and funders include (1) developing more reliable technologies, (2) thorough vetting of drone providers’ capabilities during the selection process, (3) using and strengthening local capacity, (4) building in-country markets and businesses to maintain drone operations locally, (5) coordinating efforts among all stakeholders under government leadership, (6) implementing and identifying funding for long-term projects beyond pilots, and (7) evaluating impacts via standardised indicators. Sharing experiences and evidence from ongoing projects is needed to advance the use of drones for healthcare.
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Khonje, Lameck Zetu, Felix Bello, and Michael Bennett Sepula. "Sustainable Environmental Practices in Malawian Hotels." African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure 10(1), no. 10(1) (February 28, 2021): 376–87. http://dx.doi.org/10.46222/ajhtl.19770720-106.
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This paper discusses the governance practices in the Malawi tourism and hospitality sector and their impact on the sustainability of natural resources. The focus of this paper is the National Tourism Policy (NTP) for Malawi and how central and local government structures enforce it to promote environmental sustainability practices in hotels. The paper uses a Case Study approach whereby the Sogecoa Golden Peacock Hotel and the Sunbird Mount Soche Hotel are used to explore how the NTP has ensured sustainable environmental practices are followed. A qualitative research method was used through semi-structured interviews to secure the perceptions of key informants. Through a Grounded Theory analysis, the findings revealed that the NTP does not facilitate the enforcement of sustainable environmental practices. Furthermore, because of this shortfall in the NTP, hotels do not have an environmental management policy to promote sustainable environmental practices. This paper, therefore, recommends an urgent need to revise the NTP and introduce sustainable environmental management guidelines in order for the hotel sector to emulate. It is further recommended that hotel managers should have a thorough understanding of environmental sustainability to ensure that the industry addresses negative environmental impacts.
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Austin Banda, Owen, Maurice Ongalo Udoto, and Joel Kipkemoi Ng’eno. "Influence of Selected Institutional and Technological Factors on the Adoption of Sustainable Agriculture Technologies in Maize Farming in Mzimba South, Malawi." Journal of Agriculture and Crops, no. 63 (March 20, 2020): 16–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.32861/jac.63.16.26.
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Sustainable Agriculture Technologies (SATs) significantly contribute to addressing the negative effects of land degradation, poor soil health and climate variability in the agriculture sector. Despite efforts made by different stakeholders in promoting SATs to improve maize productivity in Mzimba South in Malawi, the adoption of the technologies among small-scale farmers remains unsatisfactory. As a result, most of the farmers continue to realize low maize yields. A survey was conducted from July to September 2019 to investigate the influence of selected institutional and technological factors on the adoption of SATs in maize farming among the small-scale farmers in Mzimba South. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a representative sample of 132 small-scale maize farming household heads. Data was collected using a researcher-administered questionnaire. Multivariate probit, ordered probit and ordinary least square (OLS) models were applied to determine the influence of the selected factors on the adoption of SATs at α level of .05 using STATA and SPSS. Qualitative data was analyzed by a deductive approach, in which responses were categorized and summarized under the related themes. The study established that the adoption of SATs was significantly influenced by membership in farmer organizations (FOs), access to extension services, and the levels of relative advantage and complexity associated with the SATs. The findings of the study implied that the Government of Malawi and relevant stakeholders in the agriculture sector need to train and recruit more extension field staff to improve coverage and frequency of extension services delivery on sustainable agriculture. The stakeholders should also promote affiliation of the small-scale farmers to FOs to improve access to agricultural extension services and production resources on sustainable farming. In addition, efforts should be made to develop and promote affordable mechanization options for reducing farm drudgery associated with the implementation of SATs. Furthermore, the Government of Malawi should facilitate the formulation, enactment, and enforcement of local by-laws for safeguarding the SATs and their related inputs (or raw materials) against vandalism, livestock damage, and bushfires.
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Makoza, Frank. "How and Why." International Journal of Information Communication Technologies and Human Development 11, no. 2 (April 2019): 38–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/ijicthd.2019040103.
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While African governments have developed information and communication technologies (ICTs) policies, there is still missing historical insights on how contextual issues shaped the formulation process in the context of developing countries. This paper analysed the formulation for national ICT policy of Malawi between 2001 and 2012. Historical approach was used where archival data was used to understand key events, contextual issues, and activities that shaped the formulation of the policy. The findings showed that there were external influences leading to the formulation of the national ICT policy. The local needs of stakeholders were not articulated adequately to come up with realistic policy objectives. Further, there were more pressing local issues that led to the policy being not prioritised and endorsed by the government administrations leading to the delays in policy formulation. The study offers insights that can assist for policymakers and practitioners when developing similar policies such as the national broadband policy and national cyber-security policy.
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Kalizinje, Frank. "A woman’s work is never done: fiscal policy and women’s labour supply in Malawi." African Multidisciplinary Tax Journal 2021, no. 1 (February 2021): 42–60. http://dx.doi.org/10.47348/amtj/2021/i1a3.
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The study sought to identify factors that fiscal policy can target to induce beneficial female labour force participation (FLFP) in formal wage, casual (ganyu) and agricultural labour. To achieve this, the study first used the Multinomial Logit Model on Malawi’s Second Integrated Household Survey dataset (IHS2) to predict the occupational distribution and to test for differences in the factors associated with the choice among the three labour outcomes. This helped to identify channels through which gender-responsive fiscal policies can target and enhance FLFP and in turn uplift women’s welfare. The empirical results revealed that when women are poor, residing in rural areas, not married or are heads of households and are least educated, they are more likely to supply casual and/or agricultural labour compared to formal wage labour. Therefore, to enhance women’s welfare through FLFP, gender-sensitive spending programmes should target women with such characteristics. The study further recommended increased gender-sensitive spending on farm credit and inputs, literacy education, girls’ education and public-works programmes. It further encouraged strict adherence to gender budgeting at national and local government level. To finance these proposals the study suggested introducing a levy on alcohol and tobacco the revenue of which should strictly be used to empower girls and enhance women’s labour supply.
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Holm, Rochelle H., Brighton A. Chunga, Adrian Mallory, Paul Hutchings, and Alison Parker. "A Qualitative Study of NIMBYism for Waste in Smaller Urban Areas of a Low-Income Country, Mzuzu, Malawi." Environmental Health Insights 15 (January 2021): 117863022098414. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1178630220984147.
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When waste management infrastructure is built, there can be resistance from the local affected populations, often termed the Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) phenomenon. This study aims to understand the forms of resistance that may develop in such contexts, focusing on 2 solid waste and 1 liquid waste management site within Mzuzu City, Malawi. At the newest solid waste site, community resistance had grown to the extent that the site was reportedly destroyed by the local community. Interviews and observations of the sites are complemented by examining historic and recent satellite images. It was found that, at the new solid waste site, community engagement had not been conducted effectively prior to construction and as part of ongoing site operations. This was compounded by poor site management and the non-delivery of the promised benefits to the community. In contrast, at the liquid waste site, the community could access untreated sludge for use as fertilizer and were happier to live within its vicinity. While NIMBYism is a frustrating phenomenon for city planners, it is understandable that communities want to protect their health and well-being when there is a history of mismanagement of waste sites which is sadly common in low-income settings. It is difficult for government agencies to deliver these services and broader waste management. In this study, an unsuccessful attempt to do something better with a legitimate goal is not necessarily a failure, but part of a natural learning process for getting things right.
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Makwinja, Rodgers, Ishmael Bobby Mphangwe Kosamu, and Chikumbusko Chiziwa Kaonga. "Determinants and Values of Willingness to Pay for Water Quality Improvement: Insights from Chia Lagoon, Malawi." Sustainability 11, no. 17 (August 28, 2019): 4690. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su11174690.
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Water resources in the Chia lagoon in Malawi experience a possible threat to sustainability. Communities are seeking alternatives to improve water quality in the lagoon. This study quantified the communities’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) and their influencing factors while using contingent valuation (CV) techniques. A wide range of data collection procedures, including focus group discussions, key informant interviews, field observation, and CV survey, were employed. A sample of 300 households was randomly selected. The CV results showed that 57.4% of the households were willing to pay. The monthly individual aggregate WTP amount ranged from MK696.83 (US$0.95) to MK81697 (US$111.38), and on average MK7870.45 (US$10.73), generating aggregate annual values ranging from MK6, 689,568 (US$9126.29) to MK784, 294,080 (US$1,069,978), and on average MK75,556,320 (US$103,078) (ceteris paribus). Logistic regression model demonstrated a significant (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05) relationship between demographic (gender, age, literacy level), social-economic (land ownership, main agriculture water source, and income), and institutional (civic education and social network, extension, institutional trust, household socio trust) factors and WTP. The findings from this study provide significant clues for further research and baseline information for local government and communities in the development of more effective and holistic approaches for improving water quality in natural ecosystems.
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Thompson, David M. "A Triangular Conflict: The Nyasaland Protectorate and Two Missions, 1915–33." Studies in Church History 54 (May 14, 2018): 393–406. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/stc.2017.22.
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The idea that the churches became agents of empire through their missionary activity is very popular, but it is too simple. Established Churches, such as those of England and Scotland, could certainly be used by government, usually willingly; so could the Roman Catholic Church in the empires of other countries. But the position of the smaller churches, usually with no settler community behind them, was different. This study examines the effects of the Chilembwe Rising of 1915 on the British Churches of Christ mission in Nyasaland (modern Malawi). What is empire? The Colonial Office and the local administration might view a situation in different ways. Their decisions could thus divide native Christians from the UK, and even cause division in the UK church itself, as well as strengthening divisions on the mission field between different churches. Thus, even in the churches, imperial actions could foster the African desire for independence of empire.
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Lwara, Evans, and Deborah Ndalama. "Translating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into Chichewa: A Quick Efficacy Assessment." International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Translation 3, no. 5 (May 31, 2020): 130–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.32996/ijllt.2020.3.5.15.
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This paper purposed to analyse the efficacy of the Chichewa version of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that the government of Malawi, through the Department of Information, recently produced. Language barrier remains one of the main reasons for the SDGs’ unpopularity among the majority of Africans. This leaves most Africans unengaged in the goals’ implementation process. Mindful of this, many African countries have embarked on projects to translate the SDGs into indigenous African languages. In Malawi, the SDGs were translated into the local languages in 2018. This study sought to conduct a quick review of the entire project to ascertain its effectiveness against the background that previous translations of various policy and other public documents are replete with substantial communicative flaws. How then was the project to translate the SDGs into Chichewa uniquely designed to ensure positive outcomes? What strategies did the translators use to ensure effective localisation of the SDG document given its international nature? To answer these and other key questions, the researchers collected data through Key Informant interviews and document analysis. The data was analysed within the framework of Farrahi Avval’s taxonomy of communication strategies. The study found that both linguistic and non-linguistic communication strategies were used in the translation. Both of these strategies were marred by serious shortcomings that have the potential to prevent effective communication from taking place. The study, thus, concludes that the information in the Chichewa version of the United Nations’ SDGs remains largely inaccessible to the illiterate and semiliterate Malawians.
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Pantuvo, Jerry S., Raouf Naguib, and N. Wickramasinghe. "Towards Implementing a Nationwide Electronic Health Record System in Nigeria." International Journal of Healthcare Delivery Reform Initiatives 3, no. 1 (January 2011): 39–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/jhdri.2011010104.
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The World Health Organization identified inadequate Health Information Systems as a challenge in Nigeria. Many developed countries have either implemented or are in the process of implementing an Integrated Electronic Health Record (EHR) system because of its potential benefits. Pilot projects in many developing countries like Kenya, Malawi, Peru, and Haiti are demonstrating the viability of EHR in resource constrained areas. This study shows that the health system in Nigeria is pluralistic and complex with Federal, State and Local Governments, Health Related Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations, private healthcare providers, patients, and researchers as the major stakeholders. The drivers for adoption of a nationwide EHR include the need to report data; improve patient safety, improve work place efficiency; comply with government reforms aimed at reducing the cost and increasing access to health services. Corruption, poor coordination among stakeholders, and lack of constant supply of electricity are some of the barriers to a successful implementation of a nationwide EHR. Factors considered critical to a successful implementation of a nationwide EHR include enforceable legislation, a trained and motivated workforce, and significant and sustainable funding.
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Katengeza, Samson P., Julius Juma Okello, and Noel Jambo. "Use of Mobile Phone Technology in Agricultural Marketing." International Journal of ICT Research and Development in Africa 2, no. 2 (July 2011): 14–25. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/jictrda.2011070102.
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The mobile phone technology is an important tool to enhance farmers’ access to better paying agricultural markets. The study reports the results of a household study in Mwanza, Dedza and Mzimba Districts of Malawi. The study assesses drivers of adoption of mobile phone technology for agricultural marketing by smallholder farmers. The study used regression techniques to identify drivers and extent of mobile phone use. Results show that use is positively affected by literacy, distance to local market, land size, current value of assets, crop income, and region variations but negatively influenced by access to electricity. Intensity of use is conditioned by gender, participation in agricultural projects, ownership of a mobile phone, current asset value, distance to nearest public phone services, and region variations. Asset endowment plays a critical role in enhancing adoption of mobile phone technology. Gender disparities significantly affect adoption as most women have limited access to assets. The study suggests the need to improve farmers’ access to mobile phones for agricultural marketing. It recommends that government, in collaboration with mobile network operators, should reduce calling tariffs to enhance use, gender disparities in accessing assets should be minimised, and investment in supporting infrastructure must be enhanced.
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Chintalapudi, Nainisha, Gloria Hamela, Innocent Mofolo, Suzanne Maman, Mina C. Hosseinipour, Irving F. Hoffman, and Valerie L. Flax. "Infant and Young Child Feeding Decision Making and Practices: Malawian Mothers’ and Fathers’ Roles in the Context of HIV." Journal of Human Lactation 34, no. 1 (August 25, 2017): 68–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0890334417719245.
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Background: Few studies in low- and middle-income countries have examined the roles of couples in infant and young child feeding decision making and practices, and there is no corresponding data in the context of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Research aim: This study aimed to explore mothers’ and fathers’ perceptions of their roles in feeding decision making and practices. Methods: The authors conducted in-depth interviews with 15 mothers and their male partners, recruited from the catchment areas of two urban and two rural government clinics in Lilongwe District, Malawi. The mothers were ≥ 18 years of age, were HIV positive, and had a child < 24 months of age. Twelve of the 15 fathers were also HIV positive. The interviews were analyzed using content analysis. Results: Mothers were responsible for child care, including breastfeeding and complementary feeding. Fathers provided monetary support for purchasing food and offered verbal support to encourage mothers to implement recommended feeding practices. Many fathers found it difficult to support adequate complementary feeding because of household food insecurity. Mothers were advised on child feeding during prevention of mother-to-child transmission clinic visits. No fathers in this study accompanied women to clinic appointments, so they were less well-informed about feeding than mothers. Fathers usually deferred to mothers in feeding decision making. One-third of mothers wanted fathers to be more involved in child feeding. Conclusion: Malawian mothers’ and fathers’ roles in feeding decision making in the context of HIV align with local gender norms. Strategies are needed to improve fathers’ knowledge of and involvement in child feeding, as desired by mothers.
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Kumar, Meghan Bruce, Jason J. Madan, Maryline Mireku Achieng, Ralalicia Limato, Sozinho Ndima, Aschenaki Z. Kea, Kingsley Rex Chikaphupha, Edwine Barasa, and Miriam Taegtmeyer. "Is quality affordable for community health systems? Costs of integrating quality improvement into close-to-community health programmes in five low-income and middle-income countries." BMJ Global Health 4, no. 4 (July 2019): e001390. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001390.
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IntroductionCountries aspiring to universal health coverage view close-to-community (CTC) providers as a low-cost means of increasing coverage. However, due to lack of coordination and unreliable funding, the quality of large-scale CTC healthcare provision is highly variable and routine data about service quality are not trustworthy. Quality improvement (QI) approaches are a means of addressing these issues, yet neither the costs nor the budget impact of integrating QI approaches into CTC programme costs have been assessed.MethodsThis paper examines the costs and budget impact of integrating QI into existing CTC health programmes in five countries (Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique) between 2015 and 2017. The intervention involved: (1) QI team formation; (2) Phased training interspersed with supportive supervision; which resulted in (3) QI teams independently collecting and analysing data to conduct QI interventions. Project costs were collected using an ingredients approach from a health systems perspective. Based on project costs, costs of local adoption of the intervention were modelled under three implementation scenarios.ResultsAnnualised economic unit costs ranged from $62 in Mozambique to $254 in Ethiopia per CTC provider supervised, driven by the context, type of community health model and the intensity of the intervention. The budget impact of Ministry-led QI for community health is estimated at 0.53% or less of the general government expenditure on health in all countries (and below 0.03% in three of the five countries).ConclusionCTC provision is a key component of healthcare delivery in many settings, so QI has huge potential impact. The impact is difficult to establish conclusively, but as a first step we have provided evidence to assess affordability of QI for community health. Further research is needed to assess whether QI can achieve the level of benefits that would justify the required investment.
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Adegbola, R. O., O. Ayodeji, O. O. Awosusi, G. I. Atiri, and P. Lava Kumar. "First Report of Banana bunchy top virus in Banana and Plantain (Musa spp.) in Nigeria." Plant Disease 97, no. 2 (February 2013): 290. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/pdis-08-12-0745-pdn.
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Plantain and banana (Musa spp.) are among the most important staple crops for food and income generation for the rural and urban populations in the humid forest agroecological zone of West Africa. Until recently, Cucumber mosaic virus (genus Cucumovirus) and Banana streak virus (genus Badnavirus) were the only viruses reported to occur in Musa spp. in West Africa. In 2011, an outbreak of banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) caused by Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV; genus Babuvirus, family Nanoviridae) was reported in Ouémé Département (6°30′N and 2°36′E) in the Republic of Benin (2). BBTV is one of the most economically important pathogens of Musa spp. It is well established in Central Africa and also in Angola, Malawi, and Zambia in Southern Africa (2). Plants infected at early growth stages are severely dwarfed and do not bear fruit. BBTV is transmitted by the banana aphid Pentalonia nigronervosa, which is widespread in Africa (1). The regions in the Republic of Benin affected by BBTV border Ogun State (7°00′N and 3°35′E) of Nigeria. Epidemiological investigations were conducted during May 2012 at 31 locations in Ogun State to determine the potential risk of BBTV spreading into Nigeria. Plants with typical symptoms of BBTD (stunting, narrow and shortened leaves, chlorotic streaks on petioles and pseudostem) were observed in four locations: Ilashe, Odan-Itoro, Ido-Ologun, and Igbogila. Total DNA was extracted from 90 leaf samples randomly collected from symptomatic and asymptomatic banana and plantain plants in these areas. Samples were tested for BBTV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primer pairs, mREP-F and mREP-R, which amplifies a 241-bp of BBTV DNA-mRep segment (1), and Scp-F and Scp-R specific for approximately 1075-bp BBTV DNA-S that encodes coat protein gene (1). The amplicons of expected size were obtained from 17 of 90 samples analyzed (18.8%). BBTV in the symptomatic plants was further confirmed by nucleic acid spot hybridization (NASH) assay using DIG-labeled 1,075-bp probe corresponding to coat protein gene and chromogenic detection as per the previously described protocol (3). The DIG-probe specifically reacted with nucleic acid from the symptomatic plants, but not with negative controls, providing conclusive evidence for the BBTV. The PCR products of DNA-mRep segment amplified from three banana plants infected with BBTV collected in Ilashe (Ipokia Local Government Area) were purified and sequenced in both directions. The sequences of these isolates were 100% identical with each other (GenBank Accession Nos. JX290301, JX290302, and JX290303). A BLASTn search revealed 100% nucleotide sequence identity with a BBTV isolate from Benin (JQ437548) and 99 to 100% identity with DNA-mRep sequences of several other BBTV isolates from Africa, Australia, India, and the South Pacific. Further analysis of the 241-bp mRep gene sequences with Neighbor-Joining phylogenetic analysis grouped the BBTV isolate with the South Pacific isolates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of BBTV in Nigeria. This underscores need for surveys to assess the extent of BBTV spread in Nigeria and strict implementation of phytosanitary measures, including restrictions on the movement of planting material from disease-affected regions, to prevent further spread of this important disease. References: (1) P. L. Kumar et al. Virus Res. 159:171, 2011. (2) B. Lokossou et al. New Dis. Rep. 25:13, 2012. (3) W. S. Xie and J. S. Hu. Phytopathol. 85:339, 1995.
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Masefield, S. C., A. Msosa, and J. Grugel. "Challenges to effective governance in developing health systems: a qualitative study in Malawi." European Journal of Public Health 30, Supplement_5 (September 1, 2020). http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.504.
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Abstract Effective governance is vital in maintaining and improving health systems but has received little attention in research, especially in developing countries. All United Nations (UN) members have committed to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. Malawi, a member and one of the five poorest countries in the world, is highly dependent on donor contributions. Recent poor governance of government-funded healthcare saw donors withdraw funding, limiting services and resources. The government identifies the need for better oversight to improve health system efficiency and achieve UHC. This study contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between governance and health systems in developing countries moving towards UHC by identifying stakeholder perceptions of the challenges in this area, using Malawi as a case study. Interviews were conducted with 22 representatives of non-government organisations, civil society groups, local government and government-funded organisations and governance bodies and the transcripts and field notes were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Four main issues emerged: accountability; resource management; power dynamics; non-government actors. We conclude that political, structural and financial challenges are seen as barriers to effective health governance at all levels (national, local, service provider). These include little monitoring of health policy implementation, little accountability of the government to the public on health policies and spending decisions, and poor resource management, especially in the drug supply chain. In response to the government's perceived disinterest, non-government initiatives (often supported by donors) advocate for greater governance and monitor the health sector, including progress towards UHC. Poor governance adversely affects health system functioning and may prevent developing countries achieving UHC by 2030. Key messages There are political, structural and financial challenges at all levels of the Malawian health system (national, local, service provider) that are perceived as barriers to effective health governance. Poor governance adversely affects health system functioning, limiting the services and resources available, and may prevent the goal of Universal Health Coverage by 2030 in developing countries.
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Masefield, Sarah C., Alan Msosa, Florence Kasende Chinguwo, and Jean Grugel. "Stakeholder engagement in the health policy process in a low income country: a qualitative study of stakeholder perceptions of the challenges to effective inclusion in Malawi." BMC Health Services Research 21, no. 1 (September 18, 2021). http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-07016-9.
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Abstract Background Inclusive engagement in healthcare policies and decision-making is essential to address the needs of patients and communities, reduce health inequities and increase the accountability of the government. In low income countries such as Malawi, with significant health challenges, stakeholder inclusion is particularly important to improve performance and service delivery. The 2017 National Health Plan II (NHP II) and accompanying Health Sector Strategic Plan II (HSSP II) aimed to improve the functioning of the healthcare system. The Ministry of Health for Malawi intended to involve all key health sector stakeholders in their development. This study explores the extent of stakeholder engagement in the health policy process through local level stakeholders’ perceptions of their involvement in the NHP II and HSSP II. Methods A qualitative study design was used. Interviews were conducted with 19 representatives of organisations operating at the local level, such as CSOs and local government. Open questions were asked about experiences and perceptions of the development of the NHP II and HSSP II. Inductive content analysis was performed. Results Stakeholders perceived barriers to inclusive and meaningful engagement in the health policy process. Five categories were identified: tokenistic involvement; stakeholder hierarchy; mutual distrust; preferred stakeholders; no culture of engagement. Conclusions Serious challenges to the meaningful and equitable engagement of local level stakeholder groups in the health policy process were identified. Issues of trust, accountability and hierarchy in donor-citizen-government relations must be addressed to support stakeholder engagement. Engagement must go beyond tokenism to embed a range of stakeholders in the process with feedback mechanisms to ensure impact from their contributions. Local level stakeholders can be empowered to advocate for and participate in consultation exercises alongside greater top-down efforts to engage stakeholders via diverse and inclusive methods. These issues are not unique to Malawi or to health policy-making.
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Fish, Paul. "Practical aspects of mobilising property tax: experience in Sierra Leone and Malawi." Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, August 3, 2015, 242–62. http://dx.doi.org/10.5130/cjlg.v0i0.4591.
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Much literature has been written about the appeal of property tax as a stable source of revenue for subnational governments in developing countries. Building on this significant background of literature is the author’s practical experience working in local government institutions within both Sierra Leone and Malawi. This article relates to the development and testing of a process of mobilizing the internally generated property tax revenues of local governments, and reports on the results of that process, and the challenges and lessons learned.
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Masefield, Sarah C., Alan Msosa, and Jean Grugel. "Challenges to effective governance in a low income healthcare system: a qualitative study of stakeholder perceptions in Malawi." BMC Health Services Research 20, no. 1 (December 2020). http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-06002-x.
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Abstract Background All countries face challenging decisions about healthcare coverage. Malawi has committed to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, the timeframe set out by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As in other low income countries, scarce resources stand in the way of more equitable health access and quality in Malawi. Its health sector is highly dependent on donor contributions, and recent poor governance of government-funded healthcare saw donors withdraw funding, limiting services and resources. The 2017 National Health Plan II and accompanying Health Strategic Plan II identify the importance of improved governance and strategies to achieve more effective cooperation with stakeholders. This study explores health sector stakeholders’ perceptions of the challenges to improving governance in Malawi’s national health system within the post-2017 context of government attempts to articulate a way forward. Methods A qualitative study design was used. Interviews were conducted with 22 representatives of major international and faith-based non-government organisations, civil society organisations, local government and government-funded organisations, and governance bodies operating in Malawi. Open questions were asked about experiences and perceptions of the functioning of the health system and healthcare decision-making. Content relating to healthcare governance was identified in the transcripts and field notes and analysed using inductive content analysis. Results Stakeholders view governance challenges as a significant barrier to achieving a more effective and equitable health system. Three categories were identified: accountability (enforceability; answerability; stakeholder-led initiatives); health resource management (healthcare financing; drug supply); influence in decision-making (unequal power; stakeholder engagement). Conclusions Health sector stakeholders see serious political, structural, and financial challenges to improving governance in the national health system in Malawi which will impact the government’s goal of achieving UHC by 2030. Stakeholders identify the need for improved oversight, implementation, service delivery and social accountability of government-funded service providers to communities. Eighteen months after the introduction of the policy documents, they see little evidence of improved governance and have little or no confidence in the government’s ability to deliver UHC. The difficulties stakeholders perceive in relation to building equitable and effective healthcare governance in Malawi have relevance for other resource-limited countries which have also committed to the goal of UHC.
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Kamwendo, Gregory Hankoni. "Voices of ignorance versus voices of knowledge: Debates on English as medium of instruction in Malawian primary schools." Applied Linguistics Review, August 10, 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/applirev-2020-2003.
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AbstractIn 2014, the Government of Malawi announced a new policy under which English would become the medium of instruction from the beginning of primary school. Previously, Chichewa or a relevant local language of wider communication were used as mediums of instruction. Using the notion of “voice” to analyze the new language policy, the paper distinguishes voices from above (government) and voices from below (the people). Embedded within each of the two voices are what can be called “voices of knowledge” and “voices of ignorance”. The paper argues that the new language policy is a deeply retrogressive step, one which reveals how in Africa, myths of English as the language of opportunity and internationalization prevail over voices of knowledge that are based on the conditions of effective learning in multilingual contexts.
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Smit, J. "Training of African nurses in Nyasaland (Malawi) from 1889 to 1927." Curationis 11, no. 2 (September 21, 1988). http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v11i2.149.
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When the first pioneer missionaries arrived in Nyasaland during I860 there was no educational system in operation according to Western standards. The training of nurses (male and female) therefore evolved as the educational system developed. Before 1900 the training of nurses was done independently by each mission, only providing staff for their local clinics and hospitals. Although the missions worked in different areas of the country, they realised from the start that they should co-operate to achieve results in the medical, educational and technical fields of their work. The Protestant Missions therefore held a series of general missionary conferences where they discussed the different aspects of their work. Six such conferences were held. During the second conference in 1904, an educational code was drawn up and accepted by the missions of the whole Protectorate. During this conference three standards of training was suggested namely that of dressers, hospital attendants and medical assistants. The different syllabuses were discussed. On the suggestion of the Commissioner of the Protectorate, a Medical Board was formed during 1905, to plan for training courses and arrange for examinations. This Board consisted of government and mission representatives. During 1909 the medical courses became more refined. The government did not take part in the training of nurses hut was willing to employ as many nurses as the missions could manage to train. The education system began to develop steadily but then in 1914-1918 war came which caused much disruption. The years of 1919 to 1925 were years of recovery. The education was again stimulated by the visit of the Phelps-Stokes Commission during 1924 which recommended a policy of cooperation in education between Government and Missions. A Department of Education was formed during 1926 and it was decided that vocational schools, which included schools where medical assistants and dispensers were trained, should he under the control of the Department. During 1926 a Medical Council was formed which laid down the standards of courses and examinations of medical assistants. Section 18 of the Medical Practitioners and Dentist’s Ordinance of 1926 also made provision for a sub-register to he kept for the registration of medical assistants. This gave well trained Africans standing in their own country and was gladly welcomed by the missions. The African nurses were of sound Christian character and respected by all the peoples in the country. The missionaries felt that the training of medical personnel was one of their best contributions to the medical services and to the population of the country.
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Mgoli Mwale, Patience, Thumbiko Msiska, Etobssie Wako, Kriss Chinkhota, Tapiwa Munthali, Mariela Rodriguez, Thembekile Shato, Anne Laterra, and Anne Sebert Kuhlmann. "Evaluating Young People's Ability to Sustain an Evidence-Based Social Accountability Approach to Improve Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health in Ntcheu, Malawi." Frontiers in Reproductive Health 3 (July 1, 2021). http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/frph.2021.645280.
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The Community Score Card© (CSC), a social accountability approach, brings together community members, service providers, and local government officials to identify issues, prioritize, and plan actions to improve local health services. In addition, young people in Ntcheu, Malawi have been using the CSC approach to mobilize their communities to bring change across varying issues of importance to them. An earlier cluster randomized trial in Ntcheu showed the CSC effectively increased reproductive health behaviors, improved satisfaction with services, and enhanced the coverage and quality of services. Building upon this evidence of effectiveness, this study aims to evaluate if and how young people were able to sustain implementation of the CSC, and the improvements it brings, approximately 2.5 years after the randomized trial ended. As part of a larger evaluation of CSC sustainability in Ntcheu, we conducted 8 focus groups across 5 health catchment areas with 109 members of mixed-gender youth groups (58 females and 51 males, ages 14–29 years) who continued to engage with the CSC. Audio recordings were transcribed, translated into English, and coded in Dedoose using an a priori codebook augmented with emergent codes and a constant comparative approach. Although the 8 youth groups were still actively using the CSC, they had made some adaptations. While the CSC in Ntcheu initially focused on maternal health, young people adopted the approach for broader sexual and reproductive topics important to them such as child marriages and girls' education. To enable sustainability, young people trained each other in the CSC process; they also requested more formal facilitation training. Young people from Ntcheu recommended nationwide scale-up of the CSC. Young people organically adopted the CSC, which enabled them to highlight issues within their communities that were a priority to them. This diffusion among young people enabled them to elevate their voice and facilitate a process where they hold local government officials, village leaders, and services providers accountable for actions and the quality of healthcare services. Young people organized and sustained the CSC as a social accountability approach to improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health in their communities more than 2.5 years after the initial effectiveness trial ended.
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Mkandawire, Jacob C., Mavuto Tembo, Muthi Nhlema, Joel Luhanga, and Rochelle H. Holm. "Do rope and washer pumps provide safe water and satisfied users? A case study piloting new rural water supply technology in Rumphi District, Malawi." Water SA 45, no. 3 July (July 31, 2019). http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/wsa/2019.v45.i3.6742.
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Innovation is needed to develop rural water supply to support sub-Saharan Africa communities that are hard to reach. The purpose of this study was to critically review rope and washer pumps that have been installed on manually drilled boreholes in 48 communities as part of a pilot project in Rumphi District, Malawi, and which serve as a sustainable source of drinking water from both technical (water quality and functionality) and social (user satisfaction) perspectives. At each water source, an infrastructure checklist was used (n = 48); 10 users were interviewed (n = 472); and, if the pump had water, water quality samples were collected (n = 24). The results show that use of a professional driller does not guarantee a functioning rope and washer pump that produces safe water. Where the pumps were functional, most provided safe drinking water. However, only 8% (4/48) of pumps had good water quality, a flow rate of >20 L/min and a full consensus of positive satisfaction among users. Pumps are not necessarily working better or worse in more remote areas. A process of introducing and creating evaluative guidelines for new (approved) technologies for rural water supply has not been established in Malawi. Sub-Saharan African governments need to be open to innovative solutions while making sure that standards, including those for functionality, water quality, user satisfaction, private operators, and human capacity for local government regulators, are being followed to ensure safe water for rural communities.
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Kerry, Vanessa B., Bonaventure Ahaisibwe, Bridget Malewezi, Deo Ngoma, Patricia Daoust, Eileen Stuart-Shor, Clelia Anna Mannino, Dick Day, Laura Foradori, and Sadath A. Sayeed. "Partnering to Build Human Resources for Health Capacity in Africa: A Descriptive Review of the Global Health Service Partnership’s Innovative Model for Health Professional Education and Training From 2013-2018." International Journal of Health Policy and Management, November 29, 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.34172/ijhpm.2020.228.
Full textAbstract:
Several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (3, 16, 17) point to the need to systematically address massive shortages of human resources for health (HRH), build capacity and leverage partnerships to reduce the burden of global illness. Addressing these complex needs remain challenging, as simple increases in absolute numbers of healthcare providers trained is insufficient; substantial investment into long-term high-quality training programs is needed, as are incentives to retain qualified professionals within local systems of care delivery. We describe a novel HRH initiative, the Global Health Service Partnership (GHSP), involving collaboration between the US government (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief [PEPFAR], Peace Corps), 5 African countries, and a US-based non-profit, Seed Global Health. GHSP was formed to enlist US health professionals to assist in strengthening teaching and training capacity and focused on pre-and in-service medical and nursing education in Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Eswatini and Liberia. From 2013-2018, GHSP sent 186 US health professionals to 27 institutions in 5 countries, helping to train 16 280 unique trainees of all levels. Qualitative impacts included cultivating a supportive classroom learning environment, providing a pedagogical bridge to clinical service, and fostering a supportive clinical learning and practice environment through role modeling, mentorship and personalized learning at the bedside. GHSP represented a novel, multilateral, public-private collaboration to help address HRH needs in Africa. It offers a plausible, structured template for engagement and partnership in the field.