Malawi gets £37m in UK health aid to boost supply of drugs – JB delighted

Malawi President Joyce Banda has expressed delight with the announcement UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) that it is giving  Malawi £37 million in aid to help tackle HIV and boost the supply of vital medication.

The announcement was made on Monday at DFID’s Scottish headquarters in East Kilbride when President Banda met the International Development Secretary, Justine Greening.

Greening said £21 million had been earmarked for projects to reduce the number of HIV infections in Malawi. They include giving 164,000 couples and 17,000 pregnant women counselling and testing for the infection as well as the distribution of more than 23 million condoms.

The Secretary of State for International Development also confirmed £16 million of funding to provide essential supplies such as antibiotics, painkillers and bandages.

President Banda thanks the Scottish Government for aid expansion to Malawi
President Banda thanks the Scottish Government for aid expansion to Malawi

She said: “I would like to congratulate president Banda on the continuing process of reform that she started when she took power in Malawi.

“ After last week’s historic agreement on the commission for the status of women and girls, the recent gender bill in Malawi which pushes forward rights on sexual and reproductive health is great news for women and girls.

“The UK is ready to support the people of Malawi as the country moves towards economic stability and prosperity, and has shown its commitment with a package of support to ensure that HIV infection is reduced and that hospitals and medical centres are equipped with essential drugs and other items.”

She said UK’s bilateral support has increased significantly over the last year and by the end of March, the UK will have spent 115 million British Pounds in Malawi since Banda came into power last April.

She said “Her government will make sure that the money is used for the targeted programmes.”

She assured the Secretary of State of Malawi’s commitment to alleviate poverty among Malawians.

Later on, the Malawi leader had a strategic working lunch meeting with the private sector in Scotland.

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