Bedside midwifery study
In 2017, WRASM conducted a census survey of bedside midwives, those who spend at least 75% of their professional time providing maternal and neonatal services. The study revealed a need for additional 20,217 midwives for Malawi to reach the WHO recommended midwife ratio. As a result of the various advocacy initiatives, an addition of 4,242 nurses and midwives were recruited from 2017 to 2021.
What Women Want (WWW) campaign
In 2018, over 84,000 women and girls made their demands regarding their reproductive and maternal health. The top five demands included the need for respectful and dignified care, confidentiality and privacy, quality health, water, sanitation and hygiene, and timely and attentive care. WRASM engaged Government and various stakeholders to address the demands of women and girls and ensure that policies and guidelines are responsive to these highlighted needs. Some of the policies and guidelines that were reviewed in line with the WWW were the Quality of Care Assessment toolkit, Integrated Inspection Tool for Regulatory Bodies and MNH/FP Guidelines during Covid-19.
For more information, read the full report, WWW_Malawi_Country-Report_FINAL_web.pdf (whiteribbonalliance.org)
What Midwives Want campaign
In 2021, WRASM conducted a What Midwives Want study that attracted responses from 5,434 midwives in Malawi. The top five demands included, Equipment and Supplies – 1,765 (32%), Remuneration – 1,447 (27%), Professional development – 821 (15%), Staffing – 431 (8%), Improved infrastructure – 279 (5%). WRASM is working with the Ministry of Health together with National Organization of Nurses and Midwives (NONM) and Association of Malawian Midwives (AMAMI) to address the needs highlighted by the midwives.
For more details, please read the preliminary report attached.
Family planning dashboard on DHIS2
With support from Knowledge SUCCESS, WRASM developed a dashboard on DHIS2 and created an external link where one can access the dashboard directly. The dashboard can be accessed directly on https://tabsoft.co/3JsOQh1 or https://bit.ly/3JnK0S8 if you have DHIS2 login credentials. For further guidance on how to use the Family Planning Dashboard on the Tableau, please watch this tutorial: https://bit.ly/3r38tpv.
Advocacy on family planning commodities budget line successful
WRASM together with other partners successfully advocated for family planning commodities budget increase in the FY2021 National Budget from initial MK176 million ($241,096) to MK200 million ($273,973) and in FY2022, the budget increased to MK425 million representing a 138% increase.