The Ministry of Health and Sanitation has announced measures to address critical shortages in ambulances and stalled hospital construction projects across Malawi, according to Nyasa Times. Minister Madalitso Baloyi urged Members of Parliament and district councils to prioritize health facilities through decentralized funding. Meanwhile, the long-delayed Mzuzu dialysis unit, which was initially promised last year to provide specialized care to the northern region, remains stalled as the installation of machines awaits completion.
In health policy developments, a government executive order banning public healthcare workers from operating private clinics and pharmacies has been taken to a 60-day out-of-court mediation, Nation Online reports. Medical professionals are contesting the directive, arguing that the restriction violates their economic rights. The mandate also seeks to eliminate the practice of soliciting unauthorized payments from patients at public healthcare facilities.
The medical community is also mourning the death of Dr. Atughanile Chomo, a 28-year-old doctor at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, who was found dead in her home on Tuesday. Nyasa Times reports that police have arrested a 25-year-old security guard, Macmillan Mvevula, in connection with the murder after recovering the doctor's mobile phone. The Medical Doctors Union of Malawi and the Women Doctors Association of Malawi have condemned the killing and called for a swift and professional police investigation. Dr. Chomo was laid to rest in Chitipa on Friday.