Giving Compass' Take:

• The Aspen Global Innovators Group explains their strategy for expanding access to health care in rural Africa by working with local government. 

• How can other funders learn from this model? What are the key opportunities for partnerships? 

Learn about the inequitable progress on the SDGs. 

In July 2017, support from AMP Health led to the publication of the first-ever National Community Health Strategy in Malawi. Over the next 5 years, the implementation of this country-wide strategy will improve health outcomes, community ownership, and integration of health services throughout Malawi. Throughout the process, the Malawi Federal Ministry of Health engaged over 500 community members and other stakeholders for their feedback and recommendations. The strategy ambitiously plans to reduce under-5 mortality by 25%, reducing maternal mortality by 20%, and strengthening the community health system for the next generation. Along the way, the Ministry learned key lessons to help other countries develop their own national community health strategies.

The National Community Health Strategy was “developed by all to be implemented by all for the benefit of all for the next generation. There are no beneficiaries and implementers, we are all in this together.” AMP Health’s work and commitment is key to continue to support community health activities, which not only are essential to improve Malawi’s health outcomes, but also to support the country to achieve its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); in particular, SDG 3 on universal health coverage. Therefore, building a strong community health system is core to Malawi’s development agenda.

Read the full article about expanding access to health care at The Aspen Institute.