AGP Executive Report

Shire Valley Development: Chikwawa and Nsanje leaders gathered in Nchalo and issued the Nchalo Declaration, urging government to sign a dated, binding development compact for flood-prone Shire Valley services and infrastructure. Hospital Accountability: Malawi’s main referral hospitals are reported to be struggling with broken equipment, unreliable power, poor water and staffing gaps, while a controversial NOCMA payment linked to alleged cyber-fraud raises fresh questions on safeguards and accountability. El Niño Health Risks: Government says it needs K488.5bn for 2026/27 El Niño preparedness but has mobilised only K163.7bn, leaving a K324.8bn gap that could hit food, water, nutrition and health systems. School Meals at Risk: WFP warns 611,800 primary learners could lose school meals from September 2026 without about $19.7m (K34.1bn) in funding. Digital Health Records: Malawi’s Mahis system is in pilot phase at QECH and selected centres to replace lost hard-copy health passports and improve continuity of care. Outbreak Update: Malawi officially declared the end of cholera and mpox transmission after sustained containment. Social Protection Financing: Finance Minister Mwanamvekha launched a sustainable financing strategy to reduce donor dependence for social cash transfers and protect vulnerable households. Police Brutality Watch: Human rights training highlights ongoing concerns, with the Independent Complaints Commission reporting hundreds of police brutality complaints and only a small number of convictions so far. Public Health Safety: US customs at Chicago seized over 2lbs of dead “African mice” and beef from a Malawi traveller, citing zoonotic and livestock disease risks.

Digital Health: Malawi’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation is piloting the Malawi Health Care Information System (Mahis) at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and selected health centres to replace hard-copy health passports and improve continuity of care. Outbreak Update: Health authorities have declared the end of Malawi’s cholera and mpox outbreaks after no lab-confirmed cholera cases for 28+ days and no mpox cases for 90+ days, urging communities to keep up hygiene and early reporting. NCD Pressure: A WHO-linked Malawi report says non-communicable diseases now drive about 4 in 10 deaths, with NCD Alliance Malawi calling for stronger leadership, funding and community action to tackle preventable risks like tobacco, diet and inactivity. Water & Health Risk: Blantyre Water Board’s leadership dispute is raising concerns about service delivery, while Malawi also faces wider water and sanitation strain as communities seek safer water sources. Social Protection Financing: Government launched a sustainable financing strategy for social protection to reduce donor dependence, protect nutrition and schooling, and keep support stable during fiscal shocks. El Niño Preparedness: Malawi set up an El Niño taskforce and a MK488.5bn preparedness plan covering health, water and sanitation, food security and early warning to reduce climate-linked health risks.

Digital Health: Malawi’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation is piloting the Malawi Health Care Information System (MAHIS) at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and selected health centres to replace hard-copy health passports and improve continuity of care. Disease Control: Malawi has officially declared the end of its cholera and mpox outbreaks after no lab-confirmed cholera cases for 28 straight days and no mpox cases for over 90 days, urging communities to keep up hygiene and early reporting. NCDs Pressure: A new WHO-linked report says non-communicable diseases now drive about 4 in 10 deaths in Malawi, pushing calls for stronger leadership, funding and community action to tackle tobacco, alcohol, diet and inactivity. El Niño Readiness: Government has set up an El Niño preparedness plan (MK488.5bn) with health, water and sanitation among priority clusters, warning of risks to nutrition and livelihoods. Social Protection Funding: Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha launched a sustainable financing strategy to reduce donor dependence for social protection, including support for the Social Cash Transfer Programme. Water & Health Risks: Reports from Zimbabwe highlight contaminated boreholes and unsafe water—an indirect reminder for Malawi’s own water safety and sanitation planning.

Poisoned “cleansing” deaths: Police say autopsies confirmed four elderly people died of poisoning after they were forced to drink a witchcraft “cleansing” concoction in Mzimba, with one survivor recounting immediate vomiting and collapse. Cholera & Mpox contained: Malawi’s Ministry of Health declared the end of both outbreaks after no lab-confirmed cholera cases for 28+ days and no Mpox cases for 90+ days, urging communities to keep up hygiene and early reporting. Digital care records: The Ministry of Health rolled out the Malawi Health Care Information System (Mahis) in a pilot at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and selected centres to replace lost hard-copy health passports and improve continuity of care. NCD alarm: A WHO-linked report says non-communicable diseases now kill about 4 in 10 Malawians, pushing calls for stronger leadership, funding, and community action. El Niño readiness: Government launched a national El Niño preparedness plan focused on early warning, protecting food and water security, pre-positioning supplies, and rapid response. Rainwater push: Mubas launched a “Catch the Rain” campaign to promote rainwater harvesting for households, schools, and communities. HIV funding pressure: Nac says declining donor support threatens Malawi’s HIV gains, as domestic financing for HIV programmes is stepped up. Witchcraft violence warning: A wider BBC-linked trend shows social media-fuelled superstition can trigger deadly mob attacks across parts of Africa, including Malawi.

Energy & Health: In Blantyre, most households still cook with charcoal and firewood, leaving women to spend long hours collecting fuel and living with indoor smoke that harms families. HIV Funding Pressure: Malawi’s National Aids Commission warns that declining donor support could stall HIV gains, even as UNAids says the global response is off track. NCD Alarm: A WHO Malawi report says non-communicable diseases now drive about 40% of deaths, with tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diets and inactivity pushing preventable illness. Maternal & Newborn Support: NPL’s Mother’s Fun Run gets K40m backing from National Bank of Malawi to boost health care access for mothers and newborns. Climate Threat to Health: UNICEF warns El Niño risks could hit Malawi and the region hard—worsening nutrition, disease risk, water and sanitation, and disrupting care. TB on the Streets: A Durban refugee died after months without shelter disrupted TB treatment, highlighting gaps in care for displaced people. Clean Cooking Push: Government toured BURN’s clean cooking work as Malawi targets a 51% emissions cut by 2040.

Armed Robbery Tragedy (Lilongwe): A seven-month pregnant woman, Ezelina Masamba, was shot dead in Area 25, while her husband, William Nepayala, was also injured and taken to Kamuzu Central Hospital; police say the robbers broke in, attacked the couple and fled with money still being established. Court Orders Health-Worker Leadership Reset (Blantyre): Malawi’s High Court nullified President Peter Mutharika’s appointment of Dr Chrissy Kamwachale as Nurses and Midwives Council Registrar and CEO, saying the decision was unlawful and without legal authority, and permanently restrained implementation. Nurses’ Licence Fee Relief Deal: The HRH PLUS coalition says it secured an agreement with the Nurses and Midwives Council that employers should cover increased annual practice licence fees after nurses and midwives raised alarm over affordability. HIV Prevention Update (Zambia): Zambia received its first US-funded shipment of lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection given twice yearly, expanding options beyond daily PrEP. El Niño Health Risks (Regional, incl. Malawi): UNICEF warns over 162 million children across eastern and southern Africa, including Malawi, face worsening nutrition, health, water and sanitation risks as drought, heat and flooding intensify. Public Health Safety (Rumphi): Malawi Police IG Richard Luhanga urged communities to stop witchcraft accusations, saying people should seek hospital treatment instead of promoting harmful beliefs.

Nurses’ Council Shake-up: Malawi’s High Court in Blantyre nullified President Peter Mutharika’s appointment of Dr Chrissy Kamwachale as Nurses and Midwives Council Registrar and CEO, saying she lacked required qualifications and the decision was unlawful and procedurally unfair. Health Workforce Costs: The Coalition for Health Workers (HRH PLUS) says employers should now cover nurses’ and midwives’ higher annual practice licence fees after a hike sparked alarm. HIV Prevention Update (Region): Zambia received its first US-funded shipment of lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection given twice yearly, expanding options beyond daily PrEP. Climate & Health Risk: UNICEF warns over 162 million children across eastern and southern Africa face El Niño-linked threats to nutrition, health, learning and safe water, with Malawi included among the most vulnerable. Clean Cooking & Emissions: Malawi’s Natural Resources ministry toured BURN’s clean cooking operations as the country targets a 51% greenhouse gas cut by 2040. Food Security Pressure: Farmers report anxiety over rising fertiliser prices and El Niño-linked dry spells as the 2026/27 season approaches. Hospital Services Disrupted: Rumphi District Hospital is struggling with persistent power blackouts and lacks reliable backup electricity, affecting essential care.

El Niño warning for Malawi and region: UNICEF says more than 162 million children across eastern and southern Africa face intensifying 2026/27 El Niño risks, including drought, extreme heat and flooding that could worsen nutrition, health, learning, safety and access to clean water and sanitation, with Malawi named among the affected countries. Nurses’ leadership court blow: Malawi’s High Court in Blantyre nullified President Peter Mutharika’s April 30 appointment of Dr Chrissy Kamwachale as Registrar and CEO of the Nurses and Midwives Council, saying it was unlawful and without legal authority and that she lacked required qualifications. Nurses’ licence fee deal: After alarm over a 30–33% hike in annual practice licence fees, the Coalition for Health Workers secured an agreement that employers should cover the costs for nurses and midwives. US health funding cut risk: A new analysis warns Malawi is among countries facing major US health funding reductions by 2030, raising concerns about strain on fragile services. HIV prevention update: Zambia received its first US-funded shipment of lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection given twice yearly. Digital access push: Malawi launched a new telecoms tower in Lilongwe to help close the digital divide in underserved areas. Tobacco health and labour concerns: WHO reports tobacco-leaf production is rising in Africa, including Malawi, despite global decline—highlighting health hazards for farmers and wider social and environmental impacts.

Ebola Response: The UK has added over £50 million to fight the Congo Ebola outbreak, citing more than 6,100 cases and 2,950 deaths as the crisis spreads across six provinces, with funding aimed at surveillance, infection control, treatment access and safe burials. Hospital Power Reliability: Rumphi District Hospital is struggling with persistent power blackouts and lacks dependable backup electricity, disrupting core services and raising risks for patients and health workers. Malawi Health Funding: Malawi’s health system is set for a boost after launching a Joint Health Steering Committee to oversee a US$935 million US–Malawi partnership, with Malawi taking stronger ownership of planning and sustaining services. NCD Care Push: The NCD Alliance Malawi calls for sustained investment in essential NCD services ahead of Global Week for Action on NCDs, urging better resourcing of WHO-PEN and PEN-Plus in rural areas. NGO Reporting Sanctions: NGORA warns 330 NGOs could face fines, suspension or deregistration for failing to submit mandatory reports, putting jobs and community health support at risk. Child Health & DNA Fallout: Malawi faces growing concern over the emotional impact on children as more families undergo DNA testing amid paternity disputes, with calls for counselling and child-rights protection. Tobacco Worker Risks: WHO reports tobacco-leaf production in Africa rose while global output fell, highlighting health dangers for farmers and workers, including “green tobacco sickness,” with Malawi among key producers. Electricity for Health & Development: Malawi has completed its side of the 400kV Malawi–Mozambique power link, clearing the way for regional trading—an important step as power instability continues to affect services.

US$935m Health Partnership: Malawi’s health system is set for major strengthening after a Joint Health Steering Committee was launched to oversee a US$935 million Government of Malawi–U.S. partnership, with a shift toward stronger Malawian planning and ownership. NCD Care Push: The NCD Alliance Malawi is calling for sustained investment to improve access to treatment for non-communicable diseases, warning that WHO-PEN and PEN-Plus services need better resourcing in rural areas. NGO Reporting Sanctions: NGO workers fear job losses as the NGO Regulatory Authority flags 330 NGOs for failing to submit mandatory reports, with possible fines, suspension, or deregistration. Breastfeeding Support: Health advocates are urging more breastfeeding-friendly spaces and reduced stigma, saying workplace and public barriers can undermine exclusive breastfeeding goals. Water for Rural Facilities: A feature highlights how lack of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in rural health facilities forces women to walk for water after delivery, linking WASH gaps to maternal and newborn risks. Digital Access Under Strain: Malawi’s foreign exchange scarcity is stalling telecom investment, threatening broadband and digital services needed for health and public systems. Sanitation Drive: SICPA Malawi joined Lilongwe City Council for a city-wide clean-up as part of sanitation and hygiene efforts in public places. Tobacco Trade Watch: WHO data shows tobacco leaf exports rising in Africa even as global output falls, raising health and development concerns for countries including Malawi. Childhood Cancer Focus: New research notes most childhood cancer deaths occur in Africa, with Malawi among countries involved in follow-up research to improve diagnosis and care.

Climate & Health Link: Oxfam’s FAI project in Dowa is helping smallholders join new markets at the 2026 National Agriculture Fair, pairing solar pumps and local seeds with training to strengthen food security alongside health work. Water & Maternal Care: A SURG-Water look at rural Malawi shows how women giving birth at health centres still face long walks to boreholes and even water shortages for maternity units, raising risks for mothers and newborns. Digital Divide & Jobs: Malawi’s foreign exchange crunch is stalling telecom investment, threatening digital services tied to MW2063, including payments and electronic health. Biodiversity Fund Underfunded: The Cali Fund meant to share benefits from digital genetic data has received only $6,000 since 2025, with low awareness and weak recognition of compliance certificates. Breastfeeding Support: Advocates are pushing for “friendly spaces” so mothers can breastfeed safely in public and workplaces, tackling stigma and lack of suitable areas. Cancer Care Focus: Childhood Cancer Awareness Month highlights how most childhood cancer deaths occur in Africa, with Malawi among countries involved in new follow-up research to reduce delays and improve outcomes. Health System Strain: Malawi’s referral hospitals are described as in gradual collapse, with broken equipment and long waits for diagnosis and treatment. Nutrition & Hunger Response: WFP plans to feed about 600,000 people during the 2026/27 lean season, but warns of a major funding gap that could disrupt nutrition and school feeding. Tobacco Health Warning: WHO reports tobacco-leaf production is rising in Africa even as global output falls, raising concerns for health, farmer debt and environmental harm. Electricity & Health: Malawi’s power interconnector progress is noted, but separate coverage warns of worsening electricity problems that can still stall essential services. Post-Abortion Care: Calls are growing to implement Malawi’s post-abortion care guidelines after a High Court directive, citing gaps in counselling and trauma support for survivors. Clean Cooking & Women’s Health: An energy justice project in Blantyre is tackling smoke-filled kitchens by supporting cleaner cooking solutions that protect women’s health and reduce pressure on forests.

US-Global Health Funding: A new report says Trump’s “America First” approach is underspending congressionally approved global health funds by billions, risking preventable deaths and disease across countries that rely on US healthcare support. NGO Compliance: Malawi’s NGO regulator NGORA lists 330 non-compliant NGOs for missing mandatory reporting, including prominent groups HRDC, HRCC and CAMA, warning of legally binding action. Malawi Food Security: WFP says it will feed about 600,000 people in four districts during the 2026/27 lean season, but warns of a major funding gap that could disrupt nutrition and school-feeding. Breastfeeding Support: Advocates in Malawi are pushing for “friendly spaces” so mothers can breastfeed safely in public and at work, tackling stigma and workplace barriers. Nutrition Progress (Local): Blantyre District Council praises nutrition partners for meeting most targets, while calling for better timely data and coverage in hard-to-reach areas. Cancer Care Safety: A joint investigation warns Malawi lacks capacity to test oncology drugs, raising fears of substandard or falsified cancer medicines reaching hospitals and pharmacies. Referral Hospital Collapse: Malawi’s referral hospitals are described as gradually collapsing, with broken equipment, staff shortages and cancelled care delaying treatment. Tobacco Health & Economy: WHO data show Africa’s tobacco-leaf production is rising despite global decline, while Malawi’s tobacco earnings are projected to fall 43% amid low prices—an added pressure on health and livelihoods. Digital Payments: Standard Bank Malawi launches “Khaa! Your247” to drive bill payments through 247 platforms, with prizes for customers. Nurses’ Research Platform: NONM publishes its first research journal to help nurses and midwives share locally generated knowledge and strengthen practice.

Referral hospitals in gradual collapse: Malawi’s four main public referral facilities are facing a slow-burn systems failure—broken CT scanners and dialysis machines, cancelled surgeries, power outages and patients waiting months, with staff improvising when equipment and specialists are unavailable. Cancer patients at risk from drugs: A PIJ–ZBS investigation warns that substandard, falsified and expired cancer medicines are reaching Kamuzu Central Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and private pharmacies, with Malawi lacking independent capacity to test oncology drugs. Funding shortfall bites health: Analysis says Malawi has missed the Abuja 15% health budget target for years, denying the sector K646bn and leaving visible gaps like idle ambulances and non-functioning equipment. Post-abortion care guidelines push: Youth advocates urge fast implementation of post-abortion care (PAC) guidelines after a High Court order, citing gaps in psychological assessment and trauma counselling for survivors. Breastfeeding friendly spaces: Calls are growing for public breastfeeding-friendly environments as health experts stress exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. Nutrition partners praised: Blantyre District Council commended nutrition partners for meeting most targets, while urging better timely data reporting and coverage in hard-to-reach areas. Tobacco earnings plunge: Tobacco revenue is projected to fall 43% to about $300m as output and prices tumble. El Niño preparations: Farmers are urged to access inputs early and use early-maturing varieties as dry spells threaten the planting window. Neonatal care boost in Mulanje: A refurbished nursery ward aims to cut neonatal deaths from 13/1,000 toward single digits. Transformer vandalism hits health and business: Escom reports stolen transformers plunging Kasungu communities into darkness, disrupting clinics and schools.

Referral hospitals under strain: Malawi’s four main public referral hospitals are showing signs of systemic collapse, with broken equipment, cancelled surgeries and long waits for patients. Cancer care at risk: A PIJ–ZBS investigation warns that substandard, falsified and expired cancer drugs are reaching Malawi’s hospitals and pharmacies, with limited local testing capacity. Funding pressure: Malawi’s health sector is facing a slow-burn collapse as it falls short of the Abuja target, with a K646 billion shortfall over five years. Post-abortion care guidelines: Youth advocates are calling for the quick implementation of post-abortion care (PAC) guidelines after a High Court order, saying gaps leave survivors without proper counselling. Clean cooking and women’s health: A community clean-cooking project in Blantyre is tackling smoke-filled kitchens that harm health and drain household income. Road safety: Police in Mangochi urge people to avoid dancing or gathering on extremely busy main roads after a crash killed five during a chinamwali celebration. US health support conditions: The US sets co-investment requirements for planned health funding to Malawi, linking future support to domestic spending.

El Niño & Farming Readiness: With El Niño threatening below-normal rainfall and dry spells, farmers and input suppliers are pushing for early preparations, including access to fertiliser and early-maturing seed varieties through SFFRFM’s One Stop Centre network. Referral Hospitals in Crisis: Malawi’s main public referral hospitals are showing signs of systemic collapse—broken equipment, power failures, cancelled surgeries and long waits—leaving patients at risk and staff improvising under unsafe conditions. Health Funding Shortfall: A five-year review says Malawi has denied its health sector K646 billion by repeatedly missing the Abuja 15% budget target, linking underfunding to idle ambulances, non-working CT scanners and patients sleeping on floors. Cancer Drugs Under Scrutiny: A PIJ–ZBS investigation warns that substandard, falsified and expired cancer medicines may be reaching patients because Malawi lacks independent capacity to test oncology drugs. Neonatal Care Push in Mulanje: Mulanje District Hospital is upgrading its nursery ward, with the Ministry of Health urging staff to cut neonatal deaths from 13 per 1,000 births to single digits. Electricity Vandalism Hits Communities: In Kasungu, four stolen transformers have plunged areas into darkness, disrupting clinics and businesses; chiefs are urged to help form patrols to protect ESCOM infrastructure. Job Scam Warning: Police are urged to act as victims report being duped with fake hospital job promises after paying “administration fees.”

Cancer Care Under Threat: A PIJ–ZBS investigation warns that Malawi’s cancer patients may be getting substandard, falsified and expired drugs, with major gaps in local testing capacity reaching Kamuzu Central Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital as well as private pharmacies. Health Systems Planning: Africa’s health ministers backed three 10-year strategies on financing, the health workforce and medical regulation, while a maternity-ward support programme across sub-Saharan Africa cut early perinatal deaths by 22%. AI in Public Services: A COMESA-led AI consultation in Lilongwe says Malawi should scale AI only with a clear verification standard so citizens can trust and challenge outputs in high-impact services. Maternal & Newborn Focus: Mulanje District Hospital is urged to cut neonatal deaths from 13 per 1,000 births to single digits after a refurbished nursery ward handover. Workforce & Welfare: As NONM elections near, nurse leaders promise better welfare, allowances and representation for nurses and midwives. Public Health & Safety: First Lady Getrude Mutharika calls for stronger environmental health prevention in markets, clinics and schools. Infrastructure Risks: ESCOM reports transformer vandalism in Kasungu, plunging communities into darkness and disrupting clinics and schools. Road Safety: A Mchinji M12 crash killed four people, including a three-year-old child, after a tyre burst led to a collision with a motorcycle.