• Funding to improve laboratories, surveillance and health workforce capacity

• Initiative supports pandemic preparedness and universal health coverage goals

Malawi has received a $25 million grant from the Pandemic Fund to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response through a One Health approach. The announcement was made by the Malawian Ministry of Health on Thursday, March 12.

Of the total funding, $8 million will go toward strengthening the national laboratory system, including improving diagnostic capacity, upgrading infrastructure and equipping laboratories with modern equipment.

"We want to ensure that Malawi has strong laboratory diagnostic capacity, which will help improve the quality of care for patients," said Charles Njuguna, WHO Representative in Malawi.

The funding will also support the health system, disease surveillance and workforce development, while helping build the system's resilience to climate shocks.

Malawi's health system faces a workforce shortage. The country is among 55 nations worldwide facing a significant staffing shortfall, according to the National Library of Medicine. This is compounded by limited infrastructure, systemic inefficiencies and high vulnerability to outbreaks, particularly cholera.

Through its Health Sector Strategic Plan III (HSSP III), Malawi aims to achieve universal health coverage by 2030 by expanding access to care, strengthening financial protection and improving service quality.

The new funding complements a regional Pandemic Fund initiative that had already provided the country with $2.7 million.

Lydie Mobio