By Bishop Witmos

Mangochi, October 1, Mana: Deputy Minister of Health, Halima Daud on Monday engaged district health management teams to discuss issues that can strengthen the health system in the country.

Speaking during an engagement meeting at Nkopola Lodge in Mangochi, Daud said through decentralization, councils have the mandate to effect interventions that should promote the welfare of citizens through quality health care.

The Deputy Minister added that senior management at the Ministry of Health and district-level management teams should collaborate to provide quality health care which every Malawian deserves.

‘‘By improving communication, and ensuring a clear and coordinated approach, we can streamline the implementation of programmes and initiatives that will have a direct impact on health outcomes across all our district councils,

‘‘Every person who walks into a health facility deserves the highest standard of care and we must make this a reality. Ministry of Health believes in strong collaboration among council staff in ensuring improved health service delivery,’’ she said.

Daud therefore said government is committed to strengthening the health care system by continuously engaging health management teams at the council level to provide quality health service for the good of Malawians.

Participants at the engagement meeting included directors and deputy directors at the Ministry of Health, District Commissioners as well as council level Directors of Health Services across the country.

Speaking on behalf of the councils, District Commissioner for Blantyre, Alex Mdooko commended Deputy Minister of Health for engaging health management teams at council level, saying this will help to strengthen collaboration between the Ministry of Health and district level management teams.

The health sector is one of the devolved sectors in councils. We however need to be in touch with the ministry for proper coordination,

‘‘This will help us to avoid duplication of work and this will also help us to bang heads on how best we can address some of our challenges’’ said Mdooko.