By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
President Peter Mutharika has issued an executive order prohibiting employees of public hospitals and other state-run health facilities from owning, operating, or holding shares in private clinics and pharmacies.
The directive, announced on Tuesday, is aimed at tackling conflicts of interest and corruption within the country’s health sector.
Under the order, government-employed health workers are also barred from soliciting, demanding, or accepting payments or financial favours from patients as a condition for receiving treatment in public facilities.
The move follows concerns raised by Health and Sanitation Minister Madalitso Baloyi, who alleged that some medical practitioners in public hospitals were demanding large sums from patients and their relatives before providing services.
According to the executive order, some health personnel were also reportedly directing patients to their privately owned clinics under the pretext of offering better care, a practice the president described as unlawful, unethical, and unacceptable.
Mutharika said such conduct violates patients’ constitutional right to access public healthcare services without discrimination or extortion.
The order gives affected workers 30 days to divest from any private health facility in which they have ownership or shares.
“Any employee currently holding such ownership or shares must divest within thirty (30) days from the date of this Executive Order. Failure to comply shall result in dismissal and further legal action as appropriate,” the directive stated.
The Malawi Health Equity Network welcomed the decision, describing it as a bold and long-overdue step to protect citizens from illegal charges, coercion, and discrimination in public hospitals.
However, the group called for strict enforcement of the directive, including the creation of safe and accessible reporting channels, as well as adequate protection for whistleblowers.
