A stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to discuss President Peter Mutharika’s February 17 executive order, which bars public healthcare workers from owning, operating, or holding shares in private clinics or pharmacies, ended inconclusively on Tuesday, according to Nation Online. Nation Online reports the meeting was chaired by Secretary for Health Dr Dan Namarika and brought together health sector groups to discuss the order’s implications.
Nation Online reports the Human Resource for Health Coalition said it could seek a judicial review if issues remain unresolved, while the Society of Medical Doctors said it would give negotiations a chance. According to Nation Online, the coalition said it agrees with the directive against soliciting money from patients but objects to the ban on private clinic ownership, arguing it infringes healthcare workers’ economic rights, and the National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives said it was not satisfied with the outcome and called for further engagement.