Lilongwe: In a significant move towards strengthening its health workforce, the Ministry of Health in Malawi, with technical backing from the World Health Organization (WHO), is on the cusp of finalizing its Health Labour Market Analysis (HLMA). This comprehensive study aims to standardize the current draft report with those of other supported countries, ensuring that its findings can effectively inform high-level multisectoral policy dialogues to enhance the Human Resources for Health (HRH) landscape in Malawi.
According to African Press Organization, the HLMA employs a systematic economic framework to better understand the dynamics of Malawi’s health workforce. It examines the interaction and mismatches between the supply and demand for health workers, population health needs, and the budgetary feasibility of different policy options. The initiative is a pivotal step in advancing evidence-based decision-making and supporting Malawi’s journey towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Under the cou
ntry’s Health Sector Strategic Plan 2023-2030, Malawi has made robust investments in health workforce education, recruitment, and professional development. This has resulted in a notable increase in the health workforce from 34,287 in 2019 to 47,555 in 2024-a 38.7% rise over six years. Despite these strides, critical staffing gaps persist, with high vacancy rates for Nurse/Midwife Technicians and shortages of Medical Officers/Specialists and Medical Assistants.
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with WHO, aims to address these gaps through the HLMA by analyzing the interplay of political, economic, and health factors. This analysis will guide long-term policy decisions for health workforce development, employment, and management.
Funding from the United Kingdom Department for Health and Social Care has empowered WHO Africa Region to support a multisectoral team in reorienting towards the HLMA. The team conducted an Epidemiology-based health workforce needs assessment, using the WHO AFRO HLMA Support T
ool to systematically mine and analyze Malawi’s health workforce data.
The HLMA’s preliminary findings estimate the health workforce requirements to meet the epidemiological and service delivery needs of Malawians. The comprehensive report will pose evidence-based policy questions to facilitate technical dialogues across sectors, building consensus on workforce development and management.
Mr. Duff Msukwa, Director of Human Resources for Health in Malawi’s Ministry of Health, stated, “The Health Labour Market Analysis will give Malawi a credible evidence base to better understand our workforce dynamics and plan more effectively. By generating evidence-based insights, we can better align our health workforce with the needs of our population, ensuring equitable access to quality care.”
The HLMA data mining and needs assessment involved a multi-sectoral team, including government representatives, health councils, associations, and training institutions, and covered 72 health occupations. This endeavor, held fr
om November 10th to 21st, 2025, aims to align workforce policies with actual population needs.
Dr. Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo, WHO Representative to Malawi, expressed pride in supporting this initiative, which not only addresses immediate workforce gaps but also paves the way for long-term health investments. The completion of the HLMA will provide contextual evidence, reinforcing Malawi’s commitment to building a resilient health system capable of achieving UHC and health security.