Malawi faces a range of challenges to sustainably finance and efficiently manage the delivery of high-quality health services. There is a severe shortage of adequately trained health personnel across all professional cadres, and it is difficult to train, retain, supervise, and manage existing workers within the health system. There are also critical gaps in supply chain management, infrastructure and equipment.

Donors provide over 60% of all health financing in Malawi and as much as 85% of funding for public sector health care services that serve the majority of Malawians. Securing more sustainable financing, and increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of current spending through improved health sector governance, is critical for Malawi in the coming years.