By Edwin Mauluka

The Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) says 2025 was a “mixed year” for the country’s health sector, with major progress offset by persistent systemic challenges.

MHEN Executive Director George Jobe told The Forum that while Malawi recorded meaningful gains, especially in infrastructure and recruitment, more coordinated efforts are needed in 2026 to address long-standing gaps.

Jobe said the opening of the long-awaited National Cancer Centre — expected to be fully operational in 2026 — marks a turning point, allowing patients to access treatment locally instead of traveling abroad.

“Recruitment was another positive,” he added. “Government hired health service assistants and other personnel, responding to our calls to take on more qualified workers who were previously jobless.”

He also highlighted the procurement of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) equipment for advanced diagnostics and welcomed progress toward establishing the National Health Fund (NHF), which MHEN has advocated for over the past three years.

“We are encouraged that political parties backed the idea of an NHF in their manifestos, and discussions are now underway,” Jobe said.

Jobe noted that, unlike in previous years, Malawi experienced fewer major health emergencies in 2025, aside from isolated cases of Mpox and cholera.

However, he said persistent shortages of essential medicines remain a critical concern: “Patients were told to buy basic medicines from private drugstores. This places an unfair burden on the poor who cannot afford it,” Jobe said.

Malawi’s health sector also felt the impact of reduced U.S. foreign funding. The closure of USAID projects disrupted services, triggered job losses, and raised concerns about consistent access to antiretroviral drugs.

“Sexual and reproductive health services were especially underfunded and struggled to operate,” Jobe added.

Looking ahead, he said tackling corruption,  particularly in recruitment, must be a priority.

 “In 2025, some job seekers for health surveillance roles were asked to pay bribes, leading to court action and stalled hiring processes,” he said. “Corruption must be checked so qualified candidates aren’t locked out and the poor aren’t made more vulnerable.”

—

Also Read: UTM says Malawi’s economy in shambles, urges collective recovery plan

Related: All hands on deck: Rebuilding Malawi’s broken economy