By Linda Kwanjana
World Vision International (WVI) Malawi has procured two Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) worth over K500 million under the Global Fund Grant 7 (GF-G7).
The solar-powered mobile clinics will be handed over to communities through the Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Health, and district councils for implementation.
The vehicles will deliver integrated health services in hard-to-reach areas of Balaka, Chikwawa, Mulanje, and Thyolo districts.
Speaking ahead of the handover scheduled for the last week of August, Global Fund Chief of Party at World Vision Malawi, Rose Nyirenda, said the vans will accelerate delivery of community health services.
“As principal recipient of the Global Fund grant for HIV and TB, we are focusing on key and vulnerable populations in hard-to-reach areas. These vehicles will enable us to provide integrated community services including HIV, TB, malaria, sexual and reproductive health, and non-communicable diseases,” Nyirenda said.
She added that the mobile clinics will also treat other illnesses that communities present with.
*The self-contained, solar-powered clinics are equipped with:*
– Examination areas for men, women, and children
– Storage and refrigeration for vaccines, drugs, and injectable PrEP
– Medical equipment for temperature, blood pressure and other assessments
– Infection prevention amenities including handwashing facilities
– Air conditioning powered by solar energy
Nyirenda noted that the vehicles are designed for rural road networks and will support community case finding for TB, HIV testing, treatment and prevention, malaria services, and general primary health care.
“We will collaborate with district councils and implementing partners to deliver these services in line with government policy on integrated service delivery,” she said.
The official handover to the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Local Government, and implementing partners in the four target districts is set for the last week of August.
WVI Malawi is a principal recipient of Global Fund grants for HIV and TB.
*Stakeholders welcome the move*
The Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), which also chairs the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Coalition in Malawi, has commended WVI for the investment.
“Mhen welcomes World Vision Malawi’s investment in mobile clinics as a significant step towards improving access to essential health services for people living in hard-to-reach areas,” said Jobe.
He thanked the Global Fund for financing the initiative and WVI Malawi for effective implementation, saying it demonstrates a strong commitment to strengthening primary healthcare.
“We believe the integrated delivery of HIV, TB, malaria, sexual and reproductive health, and other primary healthcare services will bring quality healthcare closer to underserved communities and accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage,” Jobe said.
He emphasized that mobile clinics should complement, not replace, investment in permanent health facilities, health workers, medicines and medical supplies.
“This is to ensure sustainable and equitable healthcare for all Malawians as the Ministry of Health aspires to have health facilities within 5km of every person,” he said.
Parliamentary Committee on Health Chairperson, Dr. Anthony Masamba, also commended the initiative.
“This is a very good initiative. People from rural areas will have an opportunity to access primary health care. It will also decongest district and community health facilities as communities will access services within their hard-to-reach areas,” Masamba said.
