MALAWI 7. Ministry of Health Category 1: Website http://www.health.gov.mw It is commendable to note that the Ministry of Health’s website was up and running during this study. The site was down during the 2016 Study. The site has the following tabs on the homepage: ‘About Us’, ‘Directorates’, ‘Health Facilities’, ‘News & Events’, ‘Downloads’, and ‘Contact Us’. The Ministry also has a Facebook account. n = 20 Yes 1. Does this website contain up to date information? No Partial Additional Information • 2. Does the website contain the following: a) A description of its powers, as well as data on the organisational structure, the functions, and the responsibilities of the administration? b) A list of laws, Acts etc. issued within the scope of its powers? • c) Reports, policies, programmes? • d) Budget and expenditure? • There is a description of its functions and responsibilities. • There is little information on the Ministry’s procurement procedures. • e) Information about procurement procedures, signed contracts? f) Vacancy and employment procedures? • g) The address, telephone number, and working hours of the institution? • h) The contact details of specific public officials? • i) A mechanism to request and receive a response to electronic messages and requests for information? • Total Score: 12/20 CATEGORY 2: REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION The following questions were sent to the Ministry of Health: 1. There is a shortage of medical personnel in Malawi’s public hospitals. What is the Ministry of Health doing to rectify this problem? 2. How does the Ministry plan to eradicate theft of drugs from public hospitals? 3. Would you provide MISA Malawi with the Ministry’s annual budget for the 2016/17 financial year? 4. How do you plan to improve the standards of Malawi government hospitals? 5. How would you describe the Ministry’s relationship with the media? n = 20 1. Is there an official designated to take and respond to information requests? Yes No Partial Additional Information • 2. Did the institution reply within 21 days? • 3. Did the institution respond to the request for information? • 4. Does the authority publish their procedures for dealing with information requests? • 5. Did the institution provide all of the information requested? • 6. Does the institution provide written reasons for the refusal of information? • 7. Did the institution disclose information about its operations, budgets, structure etc. • 8. Did the authority provide information without questioning the aims and motivations of the applicant? • 33