The issue brief on gender integration was prepared as part of the summative evaluation of the Innovating for Maternal and Child Health in Africa (IMCHA) initiative to improve maternal, newborn and child health outcomes by strengthening health systems, using primary health care as an entry point. IMCHA was launched in March 2014 by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and is scheduled to end in July 2021.  

 The issue brief on knowledge translation (KT) was prepared as part of the summative evaluation of the Innovating for Maternal and Child Health in Africa (IMCHA) initiative to improve maternal, newborn and child health outcomes by strengthening health systems, using primary health care as an entry point. IMCHA was launched in March 2014 by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and is scheduled to end in July 2021.

The Malawi Healthcare System
The Malawi healthcare system consists of two main providers: the Ministry of Health and Population (MOH&P) and the not-for profit private-sector Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM), which provide 60%, and37% of the health services, respectively. 

​The Innovating for Maternal and Child Health in Africa (IMCHA) initiative in East Africa is a project that is implemented by 13 research teams spread across Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Malawi. It is part of a bigger IMCHA in Africa initiative implemented in partnership of Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

Improving access to quality health services for mothers (including pregnant women), newborns and children (MNC) requires evidence-informed, goal-oriented health and social policies as well as interventions based on good practice. As a commitment to maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH), Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) invested CAN$36 million through the Innovating for Maternal and Child Health in Africa (IMCHA) initiative – a seven-year programme (2014–2020) in 11 countries.

Across sub-Saharan Africa, around 550 women die every day from complications due to pregnancy or childbirth, and children under five are 16 times more likely to die than if they were born in high-income countries. Many of these
deaths are preventable through stronger, more resilient, health systems. Access to quality care and data are areas that require investment, improvement and innovation to reduce maternal and child mortality rates.

There have been great maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) achievements across sub-Saharan African over the last two decades. Countries have made progress against many key indicators, including under-five and maternal mortality, as well as the provision of family planning and HIV services.

The Malawi healthcare system consists of two main providers: the Ministry of Health and Population (MOH&P) and the not-for profit private-sector Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM), which provide 60%, and 37% of the health services, respectively.  

Health services are provided at four levels:
1. Community level through health surveillance assistants. The focus is on preventive interventions;
2. MoH-governed primary services in rural health centers, health posts, and outreach clinics;
3. Secondary level healthcare through district and CHAM hospitals, both of which are referral sites for
obstetric emergencies;
4. Tertiary level care, located mostly in urban centers, provide specialist services.