The Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) has urged the government to ensure transparency and inclusive engagement in the newly announced health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States.
In a statement signed by George Jobe, Executive Director, and Yandura Chipeta, Board Chairperson, MHEN has called for public disclosure of the agreement’s content, conditions, and accountability mechanisms to build trust and allow informed participation.
The statement emphasized that civil society organizations must remain central to the MoU’s implementation, playing a key role in community engagement, service delivery, and social accountability.
MHEN has also highlighted the need to protect Malawi’s hard-won health gains, including HIV prevention, malaria control, maternal and child health, and workforce strengthening at district and community levels.
MHEN engaged the Ministry of Health following queries from its members, civil society groups, and health advocates.
The Ministry confirmed that the MoU establishes a Government-to-Government framework, enabling the US to work directly with Malawi, building on previous initiatives such as direct support for health worker recruitment in selected districts.
While acknowledging the potential benefits of strengthened bilateral cooperation, the statement stressed the importance of strong monitoring systems, clear performance indicators, and inclusive oversight to ensure that resources under the MoU translate into measurable and equitable health outcomes for all Malawians.
MHEN concluded by reaffirming its commitment to working constructively with the government, development partners, and communities, offering its expertise and membership to support effective implementation of the agreement in the nation’s best interest.
