The Malawian government has introduced a two percent levy on motor vehicle insurance to boost domestic financing for the health sector. According to AfricaBrief, former senior health financing official Emily Chirwa shared the development with delegates at the PAC 2026 conference. Chirwa explained that the taxation measure aims to counter declining external donor support for the country's public health initiatives.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Science and Technology Bright Msaka has challenged local researchers to use health science as a direct tool for national economic growth. Nyasa Times reports that Msaka made the remarks while officially opening the 5th Research Dissemination Conference at the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS). The minister urged academics to ensure their research generates practical solutions, allowing the government to easily translate medical findings into active policy interventions and development strategies.
At the same KUHeS conference, health experts and traditional medicine practitioners advocated for the formal regulation of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine within the national health system. Discussions during a dedicated Science Café session highlighted the need for increased scientific research to establish evidence on the safety, proper use, and effectiveness of herbal medicines, which remain highly accessible in rural communities. To support this integration, KUHeS announced it is preparing to launch a Bachelor's degree programme in Herbal Medicine, according to Nyasa Times.