Gerald Manthalu is a Deputy Director of Planning and Policy Development in the Ministry of Health in Malawi where he has worked for 17 years. His key areas of focus have been strategic planning, district health planning, health care financing, resource allocation and health benefits package design. His recent research has focused on optimal choices for UHC and has made important contributions to this area of knowledge. Gerald holds a PhD in Health Economics (2011-2014) from the University of Aberdeen, MSc in Health Economics (2006-07) from the University of York and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science (1999-2003) from the University of Malawi, Chancellor College. He is the Chairperson of the Health Economics Association of Malawi.