About Us

Background

Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) is an independent, non-profit making alliance of over 95 civil society organizations in the health sector interested in promoting equitable access to quality, affordable and responsive health care services in Malawi. Its membership comprises of organizations and a few individuals. MHEN achieves this through influencing policy formulation, review, and practice. MHEN was formed in the year 2000 and got registered with the Government of Malawi in 2004. MHEN uses strategies which include lobby and evidence-based advocacy, research, civic education and information sharing.

Since its inception, MHEN has been implementing several strategies and carrying out activities to influence policies and to promote best practices in the health sector. Broadly, MHEN’s program areas are as follows: Health Systems Strengthening; Governance; Campaigning and Popular Mobilization; Research; Social Accountability; and Evidence-based Advocacy.

Member Organizations

  • Organization 1
  • Organization 2
  • Organization 3
  • Organization 4
  • Organization 5
  • Organization 6
Become a Member
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Thematic Areas

Projects

Hours Of Support

Number of Women Supported

Our Guiding Principles

Our guiding principles provide a framework that guides our approach to what we do, how we work with others, and how we measure success.

  • 01 Our Vision

    All people in Malawi have access to equitable, quality, affordable and responsive essential health care services.

  • To advocate and lobby for the health systems that promote the delivery of equitable and quality health care services by influencing policy and practice through research, advocacy, monitoring and evaluation.

  • MHEN lives by the following Guiding Principles and Values:


      Equity: Everyone should have equitable access to health care.
      Accountability: To accountably serve Malawians and promote accountability in the Malawi health system.
      Quality: To promote high quality healthcare service provision for all Malawians, and appreciating that qual- ity is a product of collective effort by various players.
      Integrity: To serve the nation with high integrity by giving evidence-based, apolitical and balanced views as well advocating for integrity among public officers and leaders.
      Responsiveness: To respond to existing and emerging health issues, convey concerns of the voiceless to rele- vant authorities, and provide feedback to stakeholders and the public.
      Transparency: To be open to the public, ready to pro- vide information as needed by stakeholders, and demand the same from duty bearers.

Areas of Programming and Activities

Implemented by MHEN

Advocacy

MHEN’s core function is conducting evidence-based advocacy on health. This advocacy is based on identified health issues at national, district, and community levels. Currently, the network is conducting advocacy on adequate resourcing of the health sector, prioritizing preventive health services and promoting high-impact health service interventions such as immunization. It is also advocating for the provision of hardship allowance to all health care workers working in hard-to-reach/hard-to-staff areas, minimizing or stopping drug stockouts in Malawi, especially in rural communities, and strengthening health systems, particularly at the district and community levels, such as at health facility level. This concentrates on the advantages of strengthening health centre and hospital advisory committees and other related committees, such as village health committees and area-level committees. MHEN also engages in health rights education for both service providers and beneficiaries. Additionally, the network advocates for solving or minimizing general health governance and health service delivery challenges identified by various stakeholders. Another key advocacy area is ensuring that healthcare workers are valued as a necessary resource by focusing on their recruitment, remuneration, motivation, and retention.

Health Budget Work

MHEN conducts analysis of the national health sector budget estimates soon after the presentation of the estimates in Parliament by the Minister of Finance. The report informs debate by Members of Parliament during the budget sitting in addition to informing monitoring by civil society, MPs, and other stakeholders. The network also provides financial and technical assistance to selected district health offices on the development of district health budgets (district implementation plans) that are responsive to the needs of all people, including gender groups. To effectively undertake budget advocacy work, MHEN trains selected district health teams to monitor the implementation of the health sector budget at the district level and track their district implementation plan, as well as disseminate the findings. The network also supports selected district health offices and network members in training community leaders and community members on the process of budgeting for health services and their role in health budget development and implementation. Additionally, MHEN builds the capacity of community structures, leaders, and members to conduct advocacy on solving identified health budget issues and supports them in effectively conducting advocacy to address these challenges.

Health Systems Strengthening & Social Accountability

MHEN conducts capacity building of its network members, District Health Management Committees (DHMTs), councillors, Health Centre Management Committees (HCMC), Village Health Committees, Community Health Action Groups (CHAGs), and community-based volunteers such as Mother Care Groups on supply chain management and drug monitoring. HCMC actively participates in receiving and stock-taking of medicines and medical supplies. MHEN also works to enhance social accountability in accordance with existing policies, focusing on the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders. The social accountability work includes policy monitoring and holding duty bearers accountable based on existing legislation and protocols, such as the Abuja Declaration, which states that 15% of the national budget should go to the health sector, as well as the National Health Policy and health strategic plans. MHEN was one of the pioneers in training HCMCs in most districts in Malawi. The network drafted a training manual in collaboration with District Health Offices, which was later improved and adopted as the official training manual for HCMCs.

Research

To conduct evidence-based advocacy, MHEN carries out research on various health issues. The network also pilots specific health interventions and makes recommendations to the government and other stakeholders. Traditionally, MHEN conducts Service Delivery Satisfaction Surveys that assess satisfaction levels of both beneficiaries and service providers. These surveys are conducted at national, selected district, and community levels. The information collected through these surveys informs the planning and implementation of health interventions by various stakeholders.

Campaigns

As part of its advocacy efforts, MHEN conducts campaigns based on identified issues. Some of the key issues addressed through these campaigns include persistent drug stockouts and inadequate numbers of health workers. For example, with support from the Joint Oxfam Program in Malawi, MHEN successfully implemented the “Access to Medicines/Medicines for All” campaign, which included the SMS Pill Check from 2009 to 2011.

Key Achievements & Recognition

Milestones & Contributions by MHEN

Client Satisfaction Recognition

MHEN is the lead civil society institution in conducting Service Delivery Satisfaction Surveys...

  • Recognized in the Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP)
  • Provides key information on client satisfaction
Health Sector Leadership

MHEN has a seat on the Health Sector Working Group (HSWG) and various technical working groups...

  • Key decision-making structure in Malawi’s health sector
  • Seats on technical working groups under the Ministry of Health
Budget Advocacy

MHEN influenced increased health budget allocations, including funding for healthcare worker training...

  • Health budget increased by MK7.4 billion (2014-2015)
  • Drug budget increased by K1 billion (2017/18)
Infrastructure & Tax Advocacy

MHEN successfully advocated for the introduction of toll gates and a carbon tax for healthcare funding...

  • Toll gates established in Malawi
  • Carbon tax introduced for vehicle emissions
Medical Equipment Procurement

MHEN’s efforts led to the procurement of Malawi’s first public hospital MRI scanner...

  • Procured first MRI scanner in public hospitals (2024)
Direct Facility Financing

MHEN pushed for direct financing for health facilities to address urgent needs...

  • Advocated for the Health Facility Improvement Grant (HFIG)
  • Government introduced Direct Facility Financing (DFF) in 2024
National Health Fund

MHEN is advocating for the establishment of a National Health Fund for sustainable healthcare financing...

  • Government is in the process of establishing the Fund (2024)

Call To Action

Donate to our cause today and save lives.

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Galley

Collection of our photos

  • All
  • Community Advocacy
  • Awareness Campaigns
  • Structure construction & Renovation

Group photo during training at Luviri, Mzimba

Group photo taken during monitoring of Chankhungu MCG

Group photo at Bowe, MZN

Fridge delivered at Chasolo

House for CMA constructed at Miyowe in Kasungu

Mduwa MCG in Kasungu

Group discussions at Mathandani, MZS

MCG members from Mphanthe MCG in Chitipa

renovated clinic at Nkhomphola in Mchinji

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Governance and Management

MHEN is governed by a Board of Directors that provides strategic direction and oversight. The day-to-day operations are managed by a dedicated Secretariat led by the Executive Director, supported by a professional management team.

Board Member 1

Chairperson

Nurse & Health

(Healthcare Sector)

Board Member 2

Vice-Chairperson

Administrator

(Healthcare Sector)

Board Member 3

Board Member

Pharmacist & Health

(Healthcare Sector)

Board Member 4

Board Member

Teacher

(Healthcare Sector)

Board Memnber 5

Board Member

Nurse & Health

(Healthcare Sector)

Board Member 6

Board Member

Engineer

(Healthcare Sector)

Board Member 7

Board Member

Business & ICT Consultant

(Healthcare Sector)

Board Member 8

Secretary(Ex-officio)

Social Worker & NGO

(Healthcare Sector)

Team

Meet Our Team

George Jobe

Executive Director
Qualifications

Ulemu Bakali

Finance and Admin Manager
Qualifications

Christabel Komakoma

Programme Manager
Qualifications

Florence Khonyongwa

Monitroing and Evaluation Officer
Qualifications

Kumbesi Gomile

Project Officer
Qualifications

Grevazio Boko

Accountant
Qualifications

Manes Chitumbe

Accounts Assistant
Qualifications

Mphatso Kamangira

Administrative Assistant
Qualifications

Moses Ngoma

Driver
Qualifications

Veronica Dzinthenga

Office Assistant
Qualifications

Helbert Chakwawa

Assistant Project Officer/Intern
Qualifications

Hannah Dzongo

Assistant Project Officer/Intern
Qualifications

Blog and Events

Contact

Contact Us

Our Address

The Executive Director,Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN),P.O. Box 1618,
Plot 120, Area 9, Lilongwe, Malawi

Email Us

mhen@mhen.org
mhensecretariat@gmail.com

Call Us

+265 888 801 618
+265 999 901 618

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