(h) to ensure that all sectors of the society, in particular, parents, children, community leaders and community workers are informed and supported in the use of basic knowledge of child health and nutrition, the advantages of breastfeeding, hygiene and environmental sanitation and the prevention of domestic and other accidents; (i) to ensure the meaningful participation of non-governmental organizations, local communities and the beneficiary population in the planning and management of a basic service programme for children; (j) to support through technical and financial means, the mobilization of local community resources in the development of primary health care for children. 92. The Ministry of Health adopted the Health Sector Strategic Plan 2011 – 2016, with a view to move towards equity and quality in the delivery of health services in Malawi. 93. Malawi has a robust and enviable immunization programme over many years (Figure 1) and recent high coverage is confirmed in the preliminary 2010 DHS report which shows that 81% of children aged 12-23 months were fully immunized. This is an increase in coverage of 26% since the 2004 DHS. However, in 2010 the country experienced an outbreak of measles with an estimated 43,000 children requiring treatment. High coverage, particularly of measles is required to maintain herd immunity and additional resources will therefore be required to sustain a vaccine coverage of 90 per cent and above for all antigens. Immunisation coverage Malawi and Africa 1980 -2010 100 90 80 olds (%) - 70 year - 60 Measles Malawi 50 DTP3 Malawi 40 30 BCG Malawi 20 Measles Africa 10 immunization coverage among 1 DTP3 Africa 0 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 Source: WHO Global Observatory Data Repository 2011 Figure [1]: Immunisation coverage in Malawi 94. Acute respiratory infections are one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality amongst children worldwide. Between 2004 and 2010 the proportion of children 28 | P a g e