Gillian Merron in Malawi
DFID Minister finds out about efforts to fight HIV/AIDS and improve maternal
health
27 June 2008
 DFID Minister Gillian Merron visited Malawi last week to mark the launch of the
UK Government's new strategy for halting and reversing the spread of HIV in the
developing world. The south-east African country is one of the great success
stories of the sixth Millennium Development Goal (MDG), which focuses on
combating the disease.
As well as meeting with the President and various Malawian Ministers to discuss
progress on the MDGs as part of this year’s Call to Action, Gillian Merron
embarked on a whistle-stop tour of hospitals and health centres. These have
helped deliver a stabilised AIDS rate in Malawi, together with a 40-fold
increase in uptake of treatment and a doubling of voluntary requests for
counselling and testing.
A motorbike service for mothers-to-be
 During her visit, the Minister also found out about how mothers-to-be are making
unusual journeys to the delivery room - by motorbike sidecar.
The eRanger motorbike ambulances are helping to make pregnancy and childbirth
safer for Malawi's women by offering a quicker and cheaper way to reach
hospitals over terrain that is often quite remote. In the last three years, a
200% increase in the numbers of women giving birth has been observed in some of
the country's hospitals.
"The UK has been instrumental in the creation of this service," said the
Minister. "Not only have these motorbikes been designed by a British company,
but the UK has funded most of the 250 motorbike ambulances currently in
operation in Malawi.
"It is impressive to see a UK business providing this vital service to so many
people in Malawi. This is a real example of overseas aid working effectively. I
have witnessed first hand how important these ambulances are, and I am delighted
the people of the UK are supporting this life-saving project."
Read more: UK creates roadmap to safer motherhood in Malawi
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Action on HIV/AIDS
 Gillian Merron also spoke of the need to continue fighting HIV/AIDS and
improving mothers' health throughout the developing world :
"Malawi has an extremely positive story to tell on HIV/AIDS progress. However,
HIV disproportionately affects women compared to men. Without improving maternal
health, reducing child mortality will not be possible and we will not be on
target to reach the Millennium Development Goals.
"This is why I am delighted to see the big improvements on safer childbirth in
Malawi. More than two out of five women are now attended by skilled personnel
during delivery and Malawi has recruited 1,812 health workers since 2004.
"I sincerely hope Malawi’s example continues and spreads throughout the
developing world. We need to tackle HIV/AIDS, and women in developing countries
deserve to bring children into this world safely and confidently."
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Increasing our support for Malawi
 During a meeting with the President of Malawi, Gillian Merron stressed the
importance to development of good governance, including free and fair elections.
"Good governance is critical for democracy and for sustaining the good progress
that has been made in Malawi over the last four years," she said. "Free and fair
elections will be an important test and will be crucial for Malawi’s
international reputation."
The Minister also took the opportunity to announce DFID's plans to increase its
development support to Malawi from £70 million this year to £75 million in 2009,
rising to £80 million in 2010.
Making the announcement in Lilongwe, the Minister said:
"This £225 million over three years is, I believe, a demonstration of the
British Government’s commitment to Malawi.
"It is very important to acknowledge the progress that has taken place in
Malawi. I visited Mchinji district hospital and learnt that maternal deaths have
reduced by 50% per year since 2006. In Tamani-Mwendo village I saw how the
MaiMwana project is providing critical outreach and health education. I hope
this additional money will deliver more improvements, particularly in health and
education."
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