The Medical Council of Malawi has imposed sweeping disciplinary measures against healthcare professionals and hospital leaders, citing breaches ranging from forged internship records to failures in informed consent that threatened patient safety.
NEWS | Health | Medical Regulation | By Watipaso Mzungu
A senior government doctor has been suspended for two-and-a-half years after being found guilty of approving falsified internship reports, as the Medical Council of Malawi (MCM) sanctioned 14 healthcare professionals and executives for misconduct in cases it says have significant implications for patient safety.
Among the 21 disciplinary cases concluded by the Council, 14 resulted in guilty verdicts, leading to suspensions, de-registrations, fines, mandatory ethics training and written warnings.
Dr Victor Matumbo, Principal Medical Officer at Chitipa District Hospital, was suspended for approving falsified internship reports submitted by an intern clinical officer. In addition to the suspension, he was ordered to undergo Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training and pay a fine.
The intern, Sydney Mkandawire, was found guilty of submitting forged internship reports. He has been recommended for de-registration for two-and-a-half years and must complete a fresh 18-month internship before reapplying for registration. He was also ordered to undergo ethics training and pay a fine.
In one of the Council’s strongest actions involving a private healthcare provider, three officials from Blantyre-based Good Hope Medical Centre were found guilty of breaching informed consent requirements.
Obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Enette Chipungu was found to have changed a surgical procedure from a transvaginal to a transabdominal approach without first obtaining the patient’s informed consent.
She received a written warning, was ordered to complete CPD training on informed consent under the 2022 Code of Ethics and must pay a fine equivalent to 30% of the investigation costs.
Clinical officer Nelson Msiska was found guilty of the same offence and received identical sanctions.
The Council also held Good Hope Medical Centre’s managing director responsible for overseeing systems that failed to ensure patients were properly informed about the risks, benefits and alternatives of medical procedures.
The managing director was issued with a written warning, ordered to organise CPD training on informed consent for all practitioners at the facility, improve the hospital’s consent forms and pay 30% of the investigation costs.
At Kamuzu Central Hospital, clinical officer Andrew Master Mwale was found guilty of failing to consult a pathologist during a medico-legal post-mortem examination. He received a written warning, was ordered to pay the full cost of the investigation and complete ethics training. The hospital was directed to produce a conclusive post-mortem report.
At Bwaila Hospital, medical assistant Duncan Chifuniro Banda was found guilty of administering an excessive dose of misoprostol to induce labour, practising beyond his professional scope without supervision and selling the medication without authorisation.
The Council ordered Banda to refund the patient MK15,000 paid for the drug, undergo further training and pay a fine. He was also de-registered and must complete a fresh 18-month internship at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital before seeking reinstatement.
Separately, the officer-in-charge of Katoto MASM MEDI Clinic was sanctioned for poor record-keeping and inadequate clinical resources. The Council imposed a written warning, a fine and mandatory ethics training.
In a statement issued on Thursday, MCM Registrar and Executive Director Dr Davie B.S. Zolowere said the disciplinary decisions were intended to reinforce professional standards across Malawi’s health sector.
He noted that while 17 of the 21 cases originated from public health facilities, reflecting the larger volume of services delivered there, private healthcare providers remain fully accountable under the Council’s regulatory framework.
“The Good Hope determinations, in particular, underscore MCM’s position that informed consent is non-negotiable and that hospital management bears responsibility for ensuring systems are in place to protect patients,” Zolowere said.
The Council said the rulings send a clear message that professional conduct, proper documentation, effective supervision and respect for patient autonomy are fundamental to safe healthcare.
Healthcare workers and institutions found guilty have been given deadlines to comply with CPD requirements, pay fines and implement corrective measures, with compliance reports to be submitted to the Council for verification.
The decisions also reinforce the principle that healthcare leaders can be held accountable for systemic failures that compromise patient rights, even where they were not directly involved in the clinical procedures themselves.
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