Health and political commentators have said State President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika’s Executive Order, which, among others, stops health personnel in the public sector from operating private clinics and pharmacies, is a breath of fresh air for the majority of patients who rely on public health facilities.
While the primary mandate of public hospitals is to provide free health services to the citizenry, media revelations point out that some health personnel turned the hospitals into money-spinning machines.
The media reports have laid bare how other officers in some public hospitals have been doubling as owners of private clinics and pharmacies; a conflict of interest that has often led to a compromise in public health service delivery.
Executive Order Number 1 of 2026 on health is aimed at restoring discipline, integrity, and fairness within Malawi’s public health system.
Malawi Health Equity Network Executive Director, George Jobe, believes the Executive Order has come at the right time as vulnerable Malawians have been crying out for help in public hospitals for a long time.
Jobe states that by barring health personnel from operating clinics, the presidential order seeks to heighten the provision of quality health care to the citizenry.
He says now the onus is on the health stakeholders and responsible authorities to implement strict enforcement of the Presidential decree.
“This is a timely response because our hospitals are a total mess because of corruption but the success of this order depends on strict enforcement, because such radical reforms fall short due to weak oversight,” said Jobe.
He has further asked authorities to safeguard the safety of whistleblowers in public hospitals, noting their lives can be targeted.
Weighing in his views is political scientist Mavuto Bamusi, who acknowledges the directive as a move to protect the rights of patients.
He says the order demonstrates President Mutharika’s unwavering commitment to stamping out corruption in the health sector.
“This is what we have been advocating for a long time. Corruption should not be condemned in speeches only but in action. This is a timely and welcome development from the Head of State,” said Bamusi.
He added that public hospitals should carry out civic education to ensure that everyone aware that health services in public hospitals are free of charge and must report health workers who demand payments for services that are supposed to be free.
Another health commentator, Maziko Matemba, has welcomed the move, saying it will strengthen health care delivery in public facilities.
Matemba says it is no secret that many of the health personnel running private facilities fail to concentrate on both facilities; a development that usually ends up compromising public health service delivery.
On the aspect of corruption, he said more concerning are reports from patients who need the services of specialist doctors.
“We receive reports from vulnerable patients complaining that they have lost their money after being promised quick service. These unpatriotic health personnel target powerless patients or their guardians…so this is a timely response from the President,” said Matemba.
The Presidential directive strictly prohibits government hospital workers from soliciting or accepting payments from patients, describing the practice as unlawful and subject to immediate dismissal and prosecution.
It also bans public health employees from owning, operating, or holding shares in private clinics or pharmacies.
Affected workers have been given 30 days to divest or face dismissal and possible legal action.
