Cabinet Appointments
The ministry's political direction is headed by a cabinet minister. The current minister is Honourable Dr. Herterwick Ntaba. For the ministers profile please click here

Ministry Vision
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Ministry Mission
"The current overall policy goal of the health sector, which continues from the previous National Health Plan (1986-1995), is to raise the level of health status of all Malawians by reducing the incidence of illness and occurrence of death in the population. This will be done through the development of a sound delivery system capable of promoting health, preventing, reducing and curing disease, protecting life and fostering general well being and increased productivity."

Objectives (National Health Plan 1999-2004)

1. Range and quality of health services for mothers children under the age of 5 years expanded
2. Better quality health care provided in all facilities
3. Health services to general population strengthened expanded and integrated
4. Efficiency and equity in resource allocation increased
5. Access to health care facilities and basic services increased
6. Quality of trained human resources increased, improved equitably/efficiently distributed
7. Collaboration and partnership in health sector strengthened
8. Overall resources in health sector increased

Achievements in the Health Sector (see graphs below; Fig. 1, 4 and 8)

1. Consistent average of 80% immunization coverage for all antigens for over 5 years
2. Improvement on child health indicators
3. Improvement on fertility rate and CPR
4. Improved access to maternal health care services

1999 – 2004 National Health Plan Identified Problems and Challenges

• High child mortality and morbidity
• High maternal mortality and morbidity
• High HIV seroprevalence and deaths due to HIV/AIDS related illnesses
• High morbidity and mortality in the general population due to infectious diseases
• Limited access effective health care due to low geographical access and financial access to health services; vertical and disintegrated service delivery of services targeted at populations at risk; shortages and maldistribution of trained health personnel; shortages of essential drugs, medical supplies and equipment; and inadequate resource availability coupled with inefficient and inequitable distribution.
• Weak inter-sectoral linkages resulting in uncoordinated planning, policy formulation and programme implementation.