Launch of Civil Servants Medical Scheme, MALAWI

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Capal Hill

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let me call Bishop Robin imala of REO International Christian Ministries for

an opening

prayer

father we want to thank you we want to give you praise we want to give you honor this

morning for the privilege you have brought us together in this place that Lord as we launch the health

facility for civil servants in this place father God you will be with us Mighty God

in the name of Jesus we honor you we glorify your name for we know that

Lord a health person is a catalyst to the development

of a nation in as far as self delivery is concerned father we pray that Lord as we

launch this facility oh God In This Place Your goodness your meres your love and your care will continue to be upon

the nation of Malawi much more we pray for our president and his vice in

this place father God may you father God we commend them in a cou of hands that Lord you have

them in good health as they save the nation of Malawi we pray that Lord there will be

Health in their mind they'll be Health in their body they'll be Health in everything they are doing to save the

nation of Malawi God we pray that Lord God Almighty every every C servant will

be healed from their sicknesses may you heal our land oh God as you have said in

second 2 Chronicles chapter 7:14 If my people who are caught by my name shall

humble themselves and and pray I shall hear from heaven and heal

their land father we pray that Lord our nation needs more hearing may you he

heal us oh God from all our sicknesses we pray that Lord God Almighty we have

seen you father God helping us through the covid-19 the HIV and HS the Cancers

and all the sicknesses that have been affecting us and we believe our God Almighty you continue to do the same to

heal us oh God even at this facility will be a catalyst will be something that will help to bring and help for our

civil servants to access medication and access the facilit to administer healing

to their bodies father we pray that Lord God Almighty as as I stand here as your

servant representing the body of Christ in this country we pray that God of mother healing will be our portion in

the mighty name of Jesus you heal us mother God you heal this country you

heal us from all the activities that are affecting and every issues that are affecting our nation the fluctuation the

falling of AA even the the the poverty that is there that is striking us every day father we pray that Lord You're

Going to heal us heal us oh God and will be healed in the name of Jesus we

command every activity today this place in your cup of hands may you minister to us and everybody who is going to stand

to speak father we pray that Lord the enement of the spirit of God will be upon all of us anoint our leader oh God

and all those that are working around him in Jesus name we pray

amen that was Bishop Robin imala of reob

International Christian Ministries for an opening prayer thank you very

much your Excellency Dr Lazarus M cha president of the Republic of

Malawi your honor Dr SOS Claus Chima

Vice President of the Republic of Malawi all the cabinet ministers and

Deputy ministers here present miss Colin Zamba secretary to the president and

cabinet all the principal secretaries directors chief executive officers and

all the government officials here present Dr katunga chief executive

officer management and staff of the Medical Aid societ of Malawi

maim honorable Dr Matthew zali MP chairperson of the Parliamentary

committee on health honorable Alfred G Member of

Parliament for lilong City Center constituency Mrs ruthu Elia beneficiary

of the civil servants medical scheme and all the beneficiaries here

present Bishop rinala of reoboth international Christian Ministries the

officiating clery all the political leaders and the

tonsy partners here present distinguished invited guests ladies and

gentlemen let me humbly welcome you all to this official launch of the civil

servants medical scheme here at Cabo Hill in liong this event this launch is

being commemorated being launched under the theme a healthy civil servant a

catalyst for eff effic efficient Public Service

delivery your Excellency some two years ago government through the Medical Aid

Society of Malawi introduced the civil servant medical scheme with the main

aim of providing civil servants with affordable

healthy care in times of need this was after government realized

that there is a very big challenge that civil servants are

facing struggling to access medical healthy care

services now this initiative will have the civil servants contribute at

10% and the larger part of about 90% will be contributed by

government to share more on this and how

some of the civil servants have benefited to this initiative your

Excellency I'm hereby inviting Mrs ruthin Kul Elia she is one of the

beneficiaries of this initiative to share her story how she has benefited

and what she is looking forward moving forward with this

initiative your Excellency distinguished invited guest ladies and gentlemen help me welcome Mrs Ruthie

nulia a big hand ladies and

gentlemen

Excell president of the Republic of Malawi the right honorable Dr SOS CL

chilima Vice President of the Republic of Malawi Madame colen Zamba secretary to

the president and cabinet and all protocols

observed your Excellency my name is Mrs

Rutha and I'm a senary school teacher by profession teaching at kababa commun day

Secondary School your Excellency it is with gratitude that I

stand here today on behalf of all civil servants to express my heartfelt

appreciation to government for introducing a comprehensive medical

scheme in the Civil Service your

Excellency this initiative demonstrates the government continued effort and

commitment to improving the welfare of the employees the medical scheme does not

only serve as a safety net for our health but also motivates commitment and

dedication to duty as we now discharge our duties without the worry of health

care expenses it also reinforces our belief

that our health is our employers priority your

Excellency since I joined the medical scheme I can honest uh say that my life

has never have been the same in as far as accessing Quality Medical Care is

concerned I'm able to access Quality Medical Services and Care in various

medical facilities both locally and internationally which means that civil

servants who join this scheme are covered for both mild and complex health

issues issues the medical scheme has also

minimized the psychological stress which I used to have when I fell

ill the scheme offers 100% Medical cover

for all musim categories and there are

no short for payments to be made no short for payments to be made ever

overemphasized the medical scheme also comes with a funeral

package which means that even when I pass on the civil servants medical

scheme will follow me up to my resting place providing a respectful and

dignified funeral

Fair as a

beneficiary I haven't so far fa any challenges with the medical scheme but

perhaps I should make one humble request to our employer Malawi

government that in future funds permitting would government

consider extending the scheme to cover spouses and

dependence your Excellency behind the productive civil servant is a support system which is a

family last but not least allow me your Excellency to once

again express my heartfelt gratitude for your Dynamic

leadership because in the entire 26 years of of service of my teaching

career I've regarded medical scheme as The Preserve of the elite and not a

common civil servant like me you have changed all that by putting

us your civil servants on the scheme you have made us all

special let me in conclusion your Excellency agge my fellow civil servants

to take advantage of the civil servants medical scheme for our good health

government is paying 90% of the premium

contribution let us join and enjoy its

benefits it is for us it is for our welfare thank you your

Excellency

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telling us more about the initiative how beneficial it is for all civil servants to be part part of this initiative

joining and enjoy affordable and uh quality healthy Services thank you so

much your Excellency We are continuing with the program your Excellency right now let me call upon Madame Callin Z who

is the secretary to the president and cabinet for her remarks and thereafter

she is also going to do the honors of inviting you your Excellency to officially address us and also launch

this initiative from there we're also going to have a symbolic hand over of

maim card that is coming from Dr katunga the CEO of MIM to you your Excellency

and you're going to hand over the card to the secretary to the president and

cabinet thank you very much your Excellency your Excellency Dr lazas Mak

Chaka president of the Republic of Malawi right honorable Dr Salos Claus

chilima Vice President of the Republic of Malawi honorable ministers and Deputy

ministers present here principal secretaries and all civil servants

present here the Secretary General of the civil servants Trade union the chief

executive officer Medical Aid Society of Malawi representatives of all medical

insurance service providers present here ladies and gentlemen your

Excellency it gives me honor to be part of this important occasion in the

history of the service of Mana your Excellency this is important

occasion because it marks yet another Milestone of your government's

commitment to ensuring that civil servants work under better conditions of

service your Excellency the civil servants medical scheme which your

Excellency is launching today has taken over 13 years whereby I

would call it that it was just grammar and no action was taking place it never

materialized Your Excellence you've barely been 3 years in office and your

leadership has made sure that the civil servants are all eligible for medical

insurance your Excellency this does not only understand score your

commitment to improving the welfare of civil servants but also your realization

that the civil service is indeed the N Center for implementation of government

development agenda your Excellency have been consistent in making sure that it's in

Malawi which is inclusive and therefore civil service that is

inclusive the medical scheme has been established in phases we started with

officers in grades D to e then F to I and lastly J to R this means that all

grades in the Civil Service are now eligible currently your Excellency

government contracted the Medical Society of Malawi as the service provider through competitive

Bing the civil servant servants are eligible on voluntary basis those

willing to become members have joined the scheme and are accessing the affordable and Quality Medical Services

and funeral benefit package which comes with the scheme so far we have about

26,000 civil servants who have joined but they are joining every

day your Excellency at this point let me also recognize the efforts of the

Department of Human Resources management and development the Civil Service Trade union and all other individuals in their

various capacities for facilitating an all inclusive servant scheme medical

scheme a reality as directed by your Excellency as we celebrate the launch of

this medical scheme let me mention that your government's commitment to ensuring a healthy civil service is also

demonstrated by completing now a Capital Hill Clinic this project was abandoned

for years but your Excellency the clinic now is in final stages and civil

servants will be accessing an immediate medical attention when need

arises the scheme also your Excellency covers all civil servants at Central and local government levels it is contribut

and voluntary as AED to area each member contributes 10% of the monthly premiums

while government contributes 90% your Excellency our beneficiary

civil servant Mrs AIA already outlined the benefits of the scheme and I think

it is better because she has fac to hand experience in the

scheme it indeed includes the funeral benefit cover which leses the B the

burden of funeral C on government

your Excellency let me also mention that going forward your Excellency already directed

that the scheme budget permitting should be extend to cover spouses and

dependence of member civil servant and this you have underscored as budget

permits but also going forward your Excellency we are looking at establishing an in-house medical scheme

experience has shown in other places that a self-managed medical scheme is less

costly and provides value for money because government will have better management and control over membership

resources and settlement

claims before I conclude sir let me just mention also that as we

launched the public service medical scheme today we should also note other major strides and Investments which are

being laid by his Excellency the president to transform our civil service into an efficient reputable and Beacon

of light for our nation your Excellency have spearheaded the institution and now

we have enacted the Malawi School of government to enhance capacity and

provide training to the public service the government of Malawi has

further entered into partnership with the Chandler Institute and the mering leaders program which will assist the

public service in improving accountability and provide capacity building to our diligent men and

women in addition to these matters your Excellency you also directed the

conditions of service for the public service should be improved within our constraints this has led to the

introduction of transport allowances for lower level employees the ongoing review of salaries construction of houses and

today the launch of the medical scheme the vision is that more benefits and

conditions will be made available in due cost for the Civil Service due to the tremendous weake the Civil Service

undertakes the civil service is the center bone and delivery Nave of the

nation hence Your Excellence are making all these efforts but one step at a

time your Excellency in conclusion let me on behalf of all civil servants and

indeed on my own behalf thank your Excellency for continued support and

efforts in ensuring that the civil servants work under motivated conditions

of service this your Excellency has the potential for better Public Service

delivery in line with the theme a heal civil servant a catalyst for efficient Public Service

delivery your Excellency with his remarks it is my honor to invite your

Excellency to officially launch the civil servants medical scheme your

Excellency

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your honor Dr Salos clim my vice president of the Republic of

[Applause] Mal all the cabinet Miners and Deputy

ministers here present missen zamb Secretary of the

president cabinet [Applause] all the principal secretaries directors

chief executive officers and all the government officials here present Dr will mukunga chief executive

officer management and staff of the medical a society of malar

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chairperson of the Parliamentary committee on health honorable afred Gia Member of Parliament

forong City sener [Applause]

constituency Mrs Ruth cul Elia

beneficiary of the civil servants medical scheme and all the beneficiaries

here present Bishop Ruben Robert andala

officiating clergy and all the religious leaders here present all the political leaders and

toy Partners here present distinguished invited guests ladies and

gentlemen in the fourth chapter of our Manifesto under Social

Development we promis to establish a health insurance scheme that covers people

nationally today several months after its successful roll out

I'm delighted to launch this medical insurance scheme for our civil servants

Across the Nation it has always been clear in my

mind that the key to improving Public Service delivery to the malarian

people is the Reconstruction of the Civil

Service by reconstruction I don't not mean simply moving around the

furniture as has been the practice if the socioeconomic

development of the country is contingent on a vibrant Civil

Service then it will never be sufficient for us to move or

reshuffle civil servants around mdas we have to reconstruct the

structure of the civil services to sale recruit top-notch technocrats to

strategic positions within it revamp its operations by having a

truly meritorious system and reform its terms of reference

and performance review system so that no nonperforming

individuals can continue to hide in its ranks however

the Reconstruction of the Civil Service is a longterm project that we are working

on and in preparation for its eventual implementation we must attend to the

conditions of service for our civil servants one of the challenges we may we

must address in order to attract top te Talent into the Recon constructed civil

service we will roll out in the future in the is the conditions of

service and medical insurance cover is a critical aspect of

that it's not been two years since my Administration introduced the civil servants medical scheme that we are

officially launching today and already the impact has been

enormous through this scheme we have created a sense that the well-being of our civil

servants matters not just their work through this scheme we have

ensured that there is equity in Access to Health Care in the public sector not

favoritism through this scheme we are investing public resources in something that yields

long-term dividend in productivity not wasting them on

consumption this is also why we are investing and allocating

resources for the completion of the Capital Hill Clinic because we cannot begin to speak

of a better Civil Service when we have no mechanism of

making civil servants better when they are indisposed

however like I said healthc care is just one aspect that we are working on to improve the

conditions of service for our civil servants ahead of a wholesale

reconstruction of the Civil Service that is in the PIP

line my Administration has other measures for improving the Civil Service

conditions of service that are worth mentioning here for example

the provision of local and international training to public servants in order to upgrade their

skills under the Malawi government scholarship fund the provision secondly of a ring F

budget for Recruitment and training of officers in the health education and

security sectors third of the annual revision of salaries and benefits for public

servants to cushion officers from the rising cost of

living and fourth of the introduction of new welfare incentives

such as transport allowances and special allowance I know that there are there is

no government in the world in which public servants are given everything they want or everything they

deserve I know that to be a public servant is a sacrifice and a service to

one's country which often entails accepting that yours

is a thankless job and I know that in our context

especially we observing austerity measures that restrict our ability to

spend money will and nearly across the

surface however that does not mean that we

should not make an effort to make things better for our civil servants where it

is in our power to do so nor does it mean that we cannot show our civil

servants appreciation in other ways that do not have expenditure

implications in fact my office will soon announce a civil servants appreciation day that

will give all malawians an opportunity to appreciate the civil servants around

them who work tirelessly to make their lives

better if we appreciate those who serve they will in

turn find it a joy to

serve with these few remarks I now declare the civil servants medical scheme officially launched and God bless

us all and God bless Mala

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right now your Excellency let me call upon Dr who is the CEO of maim to hand over a

symbolic maim card to you and there after you're going to hand over to the

SPC for the program to Raw thank you very much your

Excellency

a big hand ladies and gentlemen the CEO handing over the card to his Excellency

and right

now

thank you very much your excellenc this also marks the end of the program of the

official launch of the civil servants medical scheme this I hope the message

has been sent that as civil servants we need to be part of this initi

it is for us and we need to be part of

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