Ministry of Health and Sanitation Republic of Malawi(https://www.health.gov.mw)

Directorate Details

Community and Promotive Health Services Department

Community and Promotive Health Services Department

The Community and Promotive Health Services Department leads the Ministry’s preventive and promotive health agenda. It designs and coordinates programmes that prevent disease, promote healthy behaviours and environments, and reduce the burden of preventable, communicable and treatable diseases in Malawi.

Core functions: policy and standards development; programme planning and coordination; technical support; monitoring of implementation; and coordination of preventive and promotive health interventions

Public Health Division

The Public Health Division promotes healthy environments and coordinates interventions to prevent health risks arising from unsafe water and sanitation, food, vectors and vermin, occupational hazards, emergencies and climate-related risks.

Key areas:

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

Food Safety Vector and Vermin, Control Disease Control including Port Health Services

Health and Safety

Emergencies, Climate Change and Human Health

Community Health Services

Health Promotion Division

The Health Promotion Division coordinates health promotion and communication across Ministry programmes. It supports people and communities to adopt and maintain healthy behaviours, participate in health actions and access appropriate health services.

Key functions:

Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE)

Evidence generation and learning for public health interventions

Development and dissemination of health promotion and audio-visual materials

Demand creation and advocacy

Public health communication and media advisory

Monitoring, evaluation and policy support

Disease Control Division

The Disease Control Division provides policy direction, programme coordination, technical guidance and support for the prevention and control of priority communicable diseases and childhood illnesses. The division is responsible for coordination of the control and surveillance of malaria, TB, Leprosy, vaccine-preventable diseases and neglected tropical diseases. Programmes under Disease Control:

National Malaria Control Programme

The National Malaria Control Programme plans and guides malaria prevention and control activities in Malawi. It develops and supports implementation of guidance for malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment and coordinates access to key malaria commodities.

Key functions include:

Developing and supporting implementation of malaria prevention, diagnostic and treatment guidelines

Planning and coordinating malaria control and elimination interventions

Procurement and distribution of malaria medicines

Procurement and distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets

Supporting implementation of the Malaria National Strategic Plan 2023–2030

Providing technical guidance and coordination to districts and partners involved in malaria control

2. National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Elimination Programme

The National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Elimination Programme provides national technical leadership for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, surveillance and monitoring of tuberculosis and leprosy. The programme supports districts and health workers to deliver quality TB and leprosy services.

Key functions include:

Developing guidelines for TB and leprosy diagnosis and treatmen

Supporting disease surveillance, case finding and treatment monitoring

Procurement and distribution of TB and leprosy medicines, equipment and laboratory supplies