AGP Executive Report

Menstrual Hygiene Push: Malawi marks Menstrual Hygiene Day with officials saying water access in schools is at about 80%, but girls still face gaps like missing change rooms and enough toilets—prompting fresh calls for free sanitary pads in schools. Food Chain Safety Alarm: Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee warns that embalming chemicals allegedly being diverted to preserve fish could be a serious public health threat, citing weak regulation and theft in medical supply chains. Tobacco Warning for Youth: NCD Alliance Malawi urges the country to “unmask the appeal” of tobacco marketing targeting young people through flavours, colourful packaging and vapes. Maternal Health Access: Calls are growing to speed up implementation of amended post-abortion care guidelines after a High Court ruling, warning delays leave clinicians and vulnerable girls in legal and medical jeopardy. Cardiac Care Mission: Ten Malawian children with serious heart conditions have travelled to Israel for life-saving surgery through Save a Child’s Heart, following a screening mission at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital. Hospital Corruption & Costs: Reports highlight patients being forced to pay for “free” treatment amid corruption concerns in public hospitals, while officials admit illegal payments. Public Health & Medicines: PAC and other oversight voices keep spotlighting hospital bribery, illicit practices, and supply abuse as fuel shortages and system strain continue to endanger care.

Parliament Alarm: The Public Accounts Committee warns that embalming chemicals meant for mortuaries may be diverted and used to preserve fish for human consumption, citing weak regulation and theft of medical supplies as a serious public health risk. GBV Justice Access: The Gender and Justice Unit signs a three-year MoU to expand access to legal and psychosocial services for GBV survivors in 11 districts, using a mobile application and toll-free helpline to reduce barriers to justice. Post-Abortion Care: Calls are growing for faster implementation of amended post-abortion care guidelines after a High Court ruling, warning delays leave girls and women in legal and medical jeopardy. Menstrual Health in Custody: At Kachere Prison, officials, UNICEF and inmates tackle stigma and gaps affecting menstrual hygiene for women and girls in prison. Hospital Corruption Probe: Malawi’s health ministry admits corruption in public hospitals, including bribery, fake receipts, drug theft and illegal charges, as Parliament investigates. Maternal and Newborn Care: New research highlights kangaroo mother care started immediately after birth as a potential boost for premature and low-birth-weight survival. School Hygiene Push: The First Lady launches “My Clean School, My Pride” to improve sanitation and hygiene in schools and help prevent waterborne diseases like cholera. Regional Health Research: Namibia and Zambia join the Thanzi Programme’s health systems research push, strengthening policy-focused capacity building across Southern and Eastern Africa.

Hospital Corruption Exposed: Malawi’s health ministry admitted widespread malpractice in public hospitals, including bribery, fake receipts, drug theft and illegal charges for “free” services, after a parliamentary inquiry triggered by media reports. Fuel Shortages Hit Care: Government says it is prioritising diesel for hospitals, water utilities and security as supply disruptions continue to threaten transport and essential services. Post-Abortion Care Guidelines: Calls are growing for faster implementation of amended post-abortion care guidelines after a 2025 High Court ruling, warning delays leave clinicians and survivors in legal and medical jeopardy. Menstrual Health in Focus: Malawi marked Menstrual Hygiene Day with progress reported on water supply in schools (about 80%), but gaps remain in toilets and change rooms; separate prison discussions at Kachere highlighted stigma and infrastructure barriers for women and girls. Newborn Survival Push: Evidence summaries highlight kangaroo mother care starting immediately after birth as a way to reduce deaths from preterm birth and low birth weight. School Hygiene Campaign: First Lady Gertrude Mutharika launched “My Clean School, My Pride” to promote hygiene and help prevent waterborne diseases like cholera. ARV Supply Plan: Malawi’s six-month ARV dispensing is reported to be running behind schedule, raising concerns for treatment continuity. Food Security Support: India donated 1,000 metric tons of rice to support lean-season hunger response as climate shocks worsen food insecurity.

Food Security & Agriculture: Malawi’s government released K5 billion to ADMARC under a wider K60 billion plan, aiming to strengthen farmer markets and stabilise maize distribution as hunger pressures rise. NGO Localization & Health: World Relief has transitioned to Impact Relief to deliver community-led programmes in Dowa, including health, nutrition and WASH, aligned with Malawi’s NGO Act localization push. Menstrual Health in Schools: Malawi marked Menstrual Hygiene Day with officials saying water supply coverage stands at about 80%, but gaps remain in toilets and change rooms, with many girls still missing school during menstruation. Post-Abortion Care: Growing calls urge faster implementation of amended post-abortion care guidelines after a 2025 High Court ruling, warning delays leave clinicians and survivors in legal and medical uncertainty. Public Hospital Corruption: Malawi’s health sector corruption probe continues, with officials admitting bribery, fake receipts, drug theft and illegal charges in public facilities, including cases where patients reportedly paid for “free” services. Maternal & Newborn Care: Reports highlight the push for immediate kangaroo mother care for premature babies, alongside broader efforts to improve neonatal survival practices. Fuel Shortages & Health Services: Government says it is prioritising diesel for hospitals, water utilities and security, as supply disruptions keep affecting essential services. Food Aid: India donated 1,000 metric tons of rice to support Malawi’s lean season response amid climate-driven food insecurity affecting nearly four million people. Elder Abuse Protection: A High Court judge called for stronger measures to protect older people from abuse and violence, including mistreatment in hospitals.

Hospital Corruption Exposed: Malawi’s health ministry admits bribery, fake receipts, drug theft and illegal charges in public hospitals, after Parliament probed “Pay Up or Die” claims including patients forced to pay for “free” services. Fuel Shortages, Health Risks: Government says fuel supply reforms are underway, but officials acknowledge the core bottleneck is still foreign exchange scarcity, with diesel prioritised for hospitals and other essential services. Elderly Protection Push: A High Court judge calls for stronger protection of older people from abuse, including witchcraft accusations, and urges hospital complaint systems to investigate mistreatment. Newborn Care Update: A review highlights that kangaroo mother care started immediately after birth may improve outcomes for premature and low-birth-weight babies, but adoption varies across hospitals. Maternal Hygiene Drive: The First Lady launches “My Clean School, My Pride” to boost hygiene and cut waterborne disease risks like cholera in schools. Prison Menstrual Hygiene: Stakeholders mark Menstrual Hygiene Day at Kachere Prison to break stigma and address product and infrastructure gaps for women and girls behind bars.

Hospital Corruption Exposed: Malawi’s Health Ministry admits bribery, fake receipts, drug theft and illegal charges in public hospitals after a parliamentary probe, with cases including alleged K90,000 payments for “free” services at Kamuzu Central Hospital. Fuel Crisis Hits Care: Diesel shortages are disrupting ambulance services, referrals and backup power, forcing some hospitals to delay transfers and scale down operations. Maternal & Newborn Care: New research highlights that starting kangaroo mother care immediately after birth may improve outcomes for premature and low-birth-weight babies. Menstrual Health in Prisons: Stakeholders marked Menstrual Hygiene Day at Kachere Prison, tackling stigma, product access and infrastructure gaps for women and girls behind bars. Hunger Response: Government received 1,000 metric tons of rice from India to support lean-season assistance for nearly four million people facing food insecurity. School Hygiene Push: First Lady Gertrude Mutharika launched “My Clean School, My Pride” to prevent waterborne diseases like cholera through better sanitation in schools. HIV Treatment Convenience: South Africa’s six-month ARV dispensing plan could cut clinic visits to two per year for stable patients, easing pressure on facilities.

Neonatal Care: A new review highlights that starting kangaroo mother care immediately after birth for premature and low-birth-weight babies may improve outcomes, but notes big gaps in how hospitals implement it. Hospital Corruption: Parliament is moving to reform public hospitals after reports of patients being forced to pay for “free” treatment, with bribery, fake receipts and stolen drugs alleged. Medicines Access: Malawi is urged to keep up with delayed six-month ARV supplies, while South Africa’s six-month dispensing model aims to cut clinic visits and reduce treatment interruptions. Fuel for Health: Diesel shortages are disrupting hospital services, including ambulance referrals and backup power, forcing some facilities to scale down care. Malaria Prevention: New WHO-linked data from Ghana, Kenya and Malawi reports the RTS,S malaria vaccine can prevent about one in eight child deaths over four years. Food Security: Malawi received 1,000 metric tons of rice from India to support families facing hunger after climate shocks. Maternal Health: WaterAid spotlights how maternity “bags” reflect unequal access to clean water and hygiene, with preventable infections driving maternal deaths. Public Health Infrastructure: Rural communities around Blantyre’s Kapeni area are still waiting for a dream health centre, exposing service delivery gaps. Ebola Preparedness: Calls are growing for Malawi to strategize on Ebola as regional travel and border measures tighten. Health & Youth: Psychologists warn rising tertiary education pressure is linked to student suicides, calling for stronger counselling and support.

Hospital Corruption Crackdown: Parliament moves to reform public hospitals after a bribery expose showed patients being charged for services meant to be free, with calls to strengthen the hospital ombudsman’s office. Fuel Crisis Hits Care: Diesel shortages are disrupting ambulance services, referrals, and backup power, forcing some facilities to scale down and delay transfers—raising risks for patients. Water Shortages Raise Health Alarm: HRDC warns that prolonged water outages in Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu are making hygiene guidance impossible and increasing public health risk, especially with regional Ebola concerns. Ebola Preparedness: Malawi Airlines says it will not suspend flights to Entebbe despite Ebola alerts in the region, citing ongoing work with health authorities. Malaria Vaccine Update: New WHO data from Ghana, Kenya and Malawi reports the RTS,S malaria vaccine prevented about one in eight child deaths, supporting wider routine use. Mental Health Focus: Malawi joins a regional mental health workshop in Johannesburg to develop country plans and strengthen services. Maternal Health Inequality: WaterAid highlights what expectant mums pack in maternity bags across countries, exposing gaps in basic delivery protections. Youth Mental Strain: Psychologist Bandawe links rising university suicides to financial and academic pressure, urging better counselling and support. ECD Funding Push: Malawi’s ministry urges district councils to prioritise early childhood development budgets amid major shortfalls in caregivers trained and centres built. Medicinal Cannabis Delayed by Forex: A medicinal cannabis processing plant remains nearly two years behind schedule due to foreign exchange constraints, threatening export timelines. Ebola Border Measures: Activist Kalindo urges government to tighten Ebola-related controls, warning that relaxed roadblocks and porous borders aid traffickers. Tobacco Health Warning: Drug Fight Malawi urges Malawi to rethink tobacco reliance, citing preventable cancers and strain on the health system.

Hospital Corruption Crackdown: Parliament moves to reform public hospitals after a bribery expose showed patients being charged for services meant to be free, with calls to strengthen the hospital ombudsman’s office. Fuel Crisis Threatens Care: Diesel shortages are disrupting ambulance services, referrals, backup power and even incinerators, forcing some facilities to scale down and delay transfers. Water Shortages Raise Health Risk: HRDC warns that days-long water outages in Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu make hygiene guidance impossible, increasing public health danger amid Ebola alerts. Forex Bottleneck Hits Cannabis Plans: A medicinal cannabis processing factory is nearly two years behind schedule due to persistent foreign exchange shortages, risking lost export earnings. Ombudsman Targets Mining Governance: The Office of the Ombudsman launches a K280 million probe into mining contract awards, taxation, regulation and environmental management. Malaria Vaccine Update: New WHO data from Ghana, Kenya and Malawi reports the RTS,S malaria vaccine prevented about one in eight child deaths over four years. Mental Health Focus: Malawi’s mental health leaders join a regional workshop led by Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to strengthen country mental health plans. Ebola Preparedness: Malawi Airlines says it will not suspend flights to Entebbe despite Ebola concerns in the region, citing coordination with health authorities. Public Health and Policy: UN and Malawi officials admit delivery is hampered by fragmented coordination and bureaucratic delays. Community Sanitation Push: Blantyre vendors and communities welcome a market clean-up drive to close sanitation gaps.

Mental Health: Malawi’s Minister Aaron Motsoaledi is set to keynote WHO’s East and Southern Africa mental health workshop in Johannesburg, with countries including Malawi expected to map mental health priorities ahead of Kigali’s global summit. Malaria Vaccines: New WHO data from Ghana, Kenya and Malawi reports the RTS,S malaria vaccine prevented about one in eight child deaths over four years, strengthening calls for wider routine use. Accountability in Health: Malawi’s Ombudsman says only 9 of 22 binding rulings were complied with by ministries and agencies, raising alarms about weak enforcement that undermines administrative justice. Water & Health Risks: HRDC warns water outages and fuel shortages are disrupting hygiene and healthcare in Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu, increasing public health risk amid Ebola alerts. Ebola Preparedness: Malawi Airlines says it will not suspend flights to Entebbe despite regional Ebola concerns, citing close work with health authorities. ECD Funding: Malawi’s ministry urges district councils to prioritise early childhood development in budgets, citing major gaps in caregiver training and ECD centre construction. Youth Mental Health: Psychologist Chiwoza Bandawe links rising tertiary student suicides to financial stress, academic pressure and lack of accessible counselling. Tobacco & Health: Drug Fight Malawi questions Malawi’s continued tobacco reliance, warning of preventable cancers and wider strain on the health system. Sports & Health Systems: Court orders FAM to pay former coach Patrick Mabedi MK53.7m after an unfair dismissal ruling.

Water & fuel strain: HRDC says Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu have faced 5–7 days of water outages and diesel shortages, making hygiene advice hard to follow and raising public health risks. ECD funding push: Malawi’s Ministry of Gender urges district councils to prioritise early childhood development, citing only K300m received out of a requested K36bn and asking for at least 5% of CDF for ECD centres and caregiver support. Ebola preparedness & travel: Malawi Airlines says it will not suspend flights to Entebbe despite the DRC/region Ebola situation, while intensifying health and safety measures with health authorities. Health system funding squeeze: UN warns global funding cuts could trigger 25–40% staff reductions for agencies in Malawi, threatening services like vaccination, food support and refugee/migration assistance. Malaria in pregnancy research: A systematic review examines outcomes linked to adding dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine to TMP-SMX in HIV-positive pregnant women under intermittent preventive treatment. Community screening: Rumphi’s Mzuzu-Viphya Lions Club plans a free campaign for eyesight, diabetes and mental health, supported by MAGLA’s K7.8m donation. Tobacco health concerns: Drug Fight Malawi questions Malawi’s continued tobacco reliance, warning of poverty traps and tobacco-related cancers and other non-communicable diseases.

Water & Sanitation Push: Malawi’s Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha says the government will mobilise more resources to rehabilitate deteriorating water and sanitation systems, warning that obsolete equipment and weak maintenance are driving unsafe water and sanitation-linked health risks. Courtroom Health-Adjacent Shock: The Industrial Relations Court ordered Malawi FA to pay sacked coach Patrick Mabedi MK53.7m for unfair dismissal, a reminder that governance failures can ripple into people’s livelihoods. Durban Crackdown With Regional Links: In South Africa, Durban authorities arrested 23 undocumented foreign nationals and shut five shops in the CBD, including people from Malawi—raising fresh concerns for migrant safety and access to services. Humanitarian Funding Squeeze: The UN warns agencies in Malawi may cut staff by 25–40% as global funding drops, threatening vaccination, food support, refugee and disaster response. Local Care Gains: Rumphi is set for a free screening drive for eyesight, diabetes and mental health, backed by MAGLA funding. Health System Stress Point: Reports also highlight deadly hospital power failures from load-shedding, underscoring how infrastructure gaps can cost newborn lives.

Court Ruling: Malawi’s Industrial Relations Court has ordered the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) to pay sacked coach Patrick Mabedi MK53.7m for unfair dismissal, after finding procedural flaws in his October 2024 firing. Health System Pressure: The UN warns agencies in Malawi may face 25–40% staff cuts and up to 30% funding reductions, threatening services like vaccination, food support, refugee help and disaster response. Maternal & Child Care Shock: Reports highlight deadly failures linked to power cuts at Dedza District Hospital’s nursery ward, where premature babies died after electricity and backup systems failed. Local Health Support: In Rumphi, a free screening drive for eyesight, diabetes and mental health is set for May 30, backed by MAGLA funding. Regional Health & Safety: Durban authorities arrested 23 undocumented migrants and shut five non-compliant shops in a CBD crackdown. Sports & Governance: MAGLA also signed a K40m deal with SULOM to sponsor FDH Premiership “Goal and Save of the Month” awards.

Health System Under Strain: Dedza District Hospital’s nursery ward lost power during load-shedding, leaving oxygen concentrators and incubators silent for hours—four newborns later died as backup systems failed. Newborns at Risk: A baby girl under five days old was found abandoned in Kasungu and rushed to Anchor Farm Health Centre, reported stable. Poverty Deepens: UNDP says 55.9% of Malawians live in multidimensional poverty—about 10.8 million people lacking basics like nutrition, clean water, electricity, housing and schooling. Health Promotion Push: MAGLA donated K7.8m to the Mzuzu-Viphya Lions Club for free screenings (eyesight, diabetes and mental health) in Rumphi on May 30. Governance & Trust: Malawi’s Beautify Malawi Trust faces transparency questions after taking multimillion-rand pledges from South Africa-linked figures under legal scrutiny. Regional Health Watch: Africa CDC and partners are urging countries to fund behaviour change as a routine part of health plans, not just epidemic messaging.

Maternal and newborn care under strain: A newborn baby girl (under five days old) was found abandoned in Kasungu and rushed to Anchor Farm Health Centre, where she’s reported stable; police investigations are ongoing. Hospital power failures turning fatal: In Dedza District Hospital’s nursery ward, load-shedding knocked out oxygen concentrators and incubators, and four premature babies died after backup systems failed. Health system funding and accountability pressure: Malawi’s first lady’s Beautify Malawi Trust faces transparency questions after accepting multimillion-rand pledges from South Africa-linked figures under legal scrutiny, with concerns over audited accounts and registration compliance. Prevention and behaviour change push: Africa CDC partners are urging Social and Behaviour Change to be built into national health plans with real financing, not just epidemic messaging. Immunisation myths still bite: HPV vaccine uptake remains low amid misconceptions and coordination gaps, despite the vaccine being available since 2019. Local health support: MAGLA donated K7.8m to the Mzuzu-Viphya Lions Club for free screenings in Rumphi. Poverty backdrop: A UNDP report says 10.8 million Malawians lack basic needs, deepening pressure on health access.

Sexual Violence Case: Chikwawa police arrested 45-year-old Tsamba Dinga over alleged incest and defilement of his 15-year-old daughter, with the girl confirmed two months pregnant; he faces court on charges of incest and defilement. Regional Migration Pressure: South Africa is stepping up talks with neighbours to curb undocumented migration, as tensions spill into regional diplomacy and election-year politics. Hypertension Awareness: A new push is challenging the idea that hypertension is “witchcraft,” highlighting it as a common, often silent killer that can be managed when people get screened early. Health System Strain: Malawi’s power crisis remains a major threat to care, with earlier reporting showing hospitals struggling when electricity fails. Ebola Preparedness: Malawi continues ramping up border screening and district readiness as Ebola risk rises in the region. Medicines Theft: Police in Mzuzu arrested a hospital worker for allegedly stealing drugs, adding to concerns about weak controls in health facilities.