reducing the risk of ill health and the occurrence of premature deaths, thereby contributing to the social and economic development of the country’. In achieving this, the HSSP I contributed to the attainment of the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS II) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Substantial progress was made during the implementation of the plan but, while many challenges remained. This part first looks at progress made with respect to health outcomes and then the health care system as a whole. 149 Between 2015 and 2018, there was an increase in the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Health. In the 2015-2016 financial year, the Ministry was allocated MK77. 4 Billion, MK95.8 Billion in the 2016-2017 financial year, and MK190 Billion in the 2017-2018 financial year. However, the MK86.7 Billion allocation in the 2018-2019 financial year is a huge decrease from the previous allocation of MK190 Billion. The Government seeks to improve health service delivery with an initiative to employ 10000 health personnel. A Cancer Center is currently being constructed in the country’s capital, Lilongwe. 150 We now share key health indicators for the reporting period as well as targets set up to 2020. In terms of childhealth, as at2015-16, 64.7% of children under five with diarrhea in the two weeks before the interview received oral rehydration salts (ORS) packets. The targets for 2018 and 2020 are 70% and 79% respectively. Only 47.7% of children under 1 had been fully immunized as of 2015-2016 with the targets for 2018 and 2020 being 88% and 90% respectively. According to 2015-16 data, 27 per 1,000 live births died during the first 28 days of life, with the targets for 2018 and 2020 being 26 per 1,000 and 24 per 1,000 respectively. 151 64% children aged 6 to 59 months received vitamin A supplements in the six months preceding the interview. The targets for 2018 and 2020 are 99%. In 2015-2016, 37% of children under 5 years of age were found with moderate or severe stunting, targets for 2018 and 2020 are 35% and 33%, respectively. There were 2.7% wasted children under 5 in 2015-2016, the 2018 and 2020 targets are 2.2% and 1.7% respectively. In 2015-2016 4.5% of children under 5 years were found to be overweight, targets for 2018 and 2020 are 3.9% and 3.3% respectively. In 2015-2016, 12.9% of live births weighed less than 2500 grams, 2018 and 2020 targets are 11% and 9.5% respectively. 53