Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) Executive Director George Jobe says without targeted allocations, adolescents face increased risk of unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, interrupted access to contraception, and delayed treatment for complications.
Jobe is participating in the Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (WCAH) induction seminar for Members of Parliamentary Committees on Health, Social Welfare, Women Caucus, and Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Jobe has delivered an overview of Malawi’s health budget trends, global aid cuts, and impact for health financing; and entry points for MPs to influence WCAH financing, monitor implementation and ensure oversight.
Jobe observed that in the 2025/26, K 741 billion was allocated to the health sector, a 2% “nominal increase” from the K729 billion allocated in 2024/25. Sector budget is 9.2% of total budget, a drop from 12.2% in 2024/2025, lower than 15% Abuja Declaration – K 1.2 trillion.
K770 million was provided for Family Planning Commodities against the K900 million requested by the Ministry of Health, an increase of 10% from the K700 million provided in 2024/25.
It is estimated that, on average, over K6 billion is required annually in view of the gaps facing the sector and dwindling donor support to SRHR programmes.
According to Jobe, reduced external funding has strained district health budgets, drug supply chains, and community-level services, with adolescent SRH services among the most vulnerable to cuts.
He has recommended increased taxes on soft drinks so that people, including children, don’t consume them frequently as a way to help reduce cases of diabetes.
