The main focus of Norway's contribution to Malawi's health sector is on improving child, maternal, sexual and reproductive health. Funds for activities within these areas are largely channeled through two main agreements: the Health Sector Budget Support (Sector Wide Approach) and BLM PoW II (Banja La Mtsogolo Programme of Work). In addition, Norway’s has given support to non-governmental organizations, with the main focus on sexual and reproductive health, HIV and AIDS, and the training of health personnel. Norway established cooperation with the Clinton Foundation in 2008.
Malawi is well placed to meet the UN Millennium Development Goals in terms of child mortality, but still has a long way to go in terms of maternal health and women's rights.
Some of the results achieved from the development cooperation include:
- The percentage of one-year-olds vaccinated against measles has increased from 82 percent to 88 percent from 2008 – 2009.
- Births in certified delivery rooms increased from 48 percent to 52 percent.
- 66 percent of HIV-infected pregnant women received preventive medicine against mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy.
- The number of patients receiving HIV treatment increased from 147 479 in 2008 to 198 846 in 2009.
- The capacity of nursing schools has doubled from 2005 to 2009 through the Norwegian support to Norwegian Church Aid.