Understanding Malawi’s Health Labour Force and Its Role in Affordable Healthcare
Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030 and strengthening health security depends on a capable, well-trained health labour force. This workforce is essential for providing quality services across all levels of care and supporting accessible health insurance policies for Malawians.
A Health Labour Market Analysis (HLMA) examines the interaction between health worker supply, demand, population health needs, and budget availability. By applying this approach, Malawi can develop evidence-based policies to improve workforce governance and advance affordable healthcare initiatives.
Ministry of Health and WHO Collaborate on Health Workforce Planning
The Ministry of Health, with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO), is finalizing a national HLMA. The draft report will standardize findings with other countries and support high-level policy discussions aimed at strengthening Malawi’s health labour force.
Despite progress, gaps remain: Nurse/Midwife Technicians face a 40% vacancy, Medical Officers/Specialists 32%, and Medical Assistants 25%. The HLMA will analyze political, economic, and training factors to guide workforce recruitment, development, and management strategies.
Investments in Health Insurance Policies and Workforce Development
Malawi’s Health Sector Strategic Plan 2023-2030 has focused on workforce education, recruitment, performance management, and Human Resources Information Systems. The total health workforce grew from 34,287 in 2019 to 47,555 in 2024—a 38.7% increase—demonstrating a commitment to health insurance policies and affordable healthcare.
The HLMA also provides preliminary estimates of workforce needs to meet disease burdens and service delivery demands. This evidence will support multisectoral discussions to guide policy on workforce development, employment, and management.
Data-Driven Approach to Strengthen Health Insurance Policies
With funding from the United Kingdom Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), WHO Africa Region guided a multisectoral team using the WHO AFRO HLMA Support Tool. From 10th to 21st November 2025, representatives from government ministries, councils, health training institutions, and health workers across 72 occupations analyzed Malawi’s workforce data.
“The Health Labour Market Analysis provides credible evidence to plan our workforce more effectively,” said Mr. Duff Msukwa, Director of Human Resources for Health, Ministry of Health. “It ensures equitable access to quality care and advances our Health Sector Strategic Plan III goals.”
Moving Toward Universal Health Coverage and Affordable Healthcare
WHO Representative Dr. Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo emphasized, “This initiative not only addresses immediate staffing gaps but also paves the way for long-term investments in health workers, supporting Universal Health Coverage and a resilient health system.”
Completion of the HLMA will give Malawi data-driven guidance for workforce policies, reinforcing a resilient, equitable system capable of delivering essential services and improving health insurance policies for all citizens.
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This story was first reported by World Health Organization (WHO) – Malawi. Read the full article here.
