Minister of Health Peter Kumpalume says he expects an improvement in the formulation of policies within the ministry following the launch of new guidelines aimed at ensuring that policies drawn are informed by latest research evidence.
The launch took place on Tuesday where also 22 technical officials involved in the day to day formulation of policies graduated after undergoing one year training on the use of research evidence in policy making.
Speaking during the launch Kampalume observed that development of well informed health policies and action will ensure equity health services and achievement of sustainable development goals.
“This will contribute to the strengthening of health policy and practice and therefore improve the health outcomes of the people of Malawi. Building capacity among the current and future researchers and policy makers in the country is vital to the long-term success of the country’s public health policy,” said Kumpalume.
The minister added that by improving use of research evidence in decision making, the ministry will achieve efficient and effective health delivery system that will save the available limited resources.
The need for the guidelines emerged out of a 2014 study undertaken to assess the current level of capacity of the ministry to use research evidence. The study also sought to determine the level of use of research evidence in decision making as well as factors that influence capacity to use research evidence in decision making in health.
The production of the guidelines and the training of the ministry’s staff in use of research evidence in policy making are outcomes of a three-year programme that the ministry has been implementing together with the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) and the College of Medicine at the University of Malawi.
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