DRC – The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced on its website that the WHO Malawi Country Office’s (WCO) team of 64 staff members converged in the lakeshore district of Mangochi from 10th August to 15th August 2022 for a staff retreat.
WHO further said that the main aim of the retreat was to review their performances since the beginning of the year with a focus on its recent interventions in the life-threatening emergencies such as flooding, COVID-19 pandemic, and the polio outbreak and the cholera outbreak that affected Malawi.
In addition, the retreat provided a unique opportunity for staff to be updated on WHO’s Transformation Agenda in line with the Thirteen General Programme of Work, which defines the Organisation’s five-year strategy (2019-2025).
The World Health Organization highlighted that participants were urged to boost their personal skills and knowledge by utilizing the learning platforms of WHO, adding that staff were encouraged to utilize the WHO ilearn platform and maximize the mentoring and coaching opportunities available in WHO.
During the retreat, the team engaged in an open and constructive exchange of ideas to improve the WHO country office while self-awareness moments provided insights on ways to improve the health system.
WHO noted that the open-minded nature of the retreat ensued negative and positive reactions since everyone calmly provided remedies to improve WHO’s teamwork, adding that the need for effective, responsive and respectful communication was emphasized.
“To foster teamwork and coherence, the staff retreat was fused with fun activities, simulations, and sporting activities. Staff members were urged to maintain a work-life balance so that they are fully productive in a work environment,” the agency said.
The Ombudsman also presented on the various policies related to prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment and abuse of authority while WHO staff were reminded to be ambassadors to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse of authority beyond the workplace environment.
WHO Malawi Country Representative, Dr. Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo emphasized that: “One billion more people are expected to have access of universal health coverage, receive protection from health emergencies, and enjoy better health and well-being. Malawi is set to contribute towards this.”
Dr. Kimambo noted that triple billion targets serve to measure WHO’s impact on people’s health while highlighting that the WHO’s Transformation Agenda provides an opportunity for engagement with the government, various United Nations agencies and all stakeholders.
“The focus of transformation agenda is pro-results, ensures smart technical focus, responsive strategic operations in line with health needs and priorities of the people of Malawi,” she explained WHO’s transformation vision to staff.
Dr. Kimambo reassured that the World Health Organization aims to optimize technical delivery, improve quality of work and ensure better resource management and value for money in the agency’s interventions.
At the same time, Dr. Nampewo Solome, Health Systems Coordinator explained that WHO teams are working to improve access to quality essential health services irrespective of gender, age or disability status, at all levels of health delivery system.
She outlined the importance of ensuring access to universal health care in Malawi while reaffirming that the World Health Organization and partners are committed to reducing the number of people suffering financial hardship, especially now when the country facing several emergencies.
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