Pakwathu Health Network

17/09/2026

WORLD PATIENT SAFETY DAY 2026

Today, 17 September 2026, Pakwathu Health Network joins the global health community in marking World Patient Safety Day.

Safe care matters at every stage of managing noncommunicable diseases — from prevention and diagnosis to treatment, follow-up and long-term care.

For patients living with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer and cardiovascular diseases, safety means accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, clear communication, access to essential medicines, and care that puts the patient first.

At Pakwathu Health Network, we believe patient safety is not just a healthcare responsibility — it is a shared commitment.

Together, let us promote safer care, stronger health systems and better outcomes for every patient.

Pakwathu Health Network
Health. Innovation. Impact.

17/09/2026

14/09/2026

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation has announced a nationwide Measles-Rubella Supplementary Vaccination Campaign running from 21 to 25 September 2026, following reported outbreaks in some districts.

According to a statement issued by Secretary for Health and Sanitation Dr. Dan Namarika, Malawi has recorded 376 confirmed measles-rubella cases between January and August 2026.

The campaign targets all children aged 9 months to 9 years, regardless of whether they have previously received measles-rubella vaccination. Children aged 6 months to 5 years will also receive Vitamin A supplementation.

Vaccination will be available through health facilities, outreach clinics, schools, trading centres, churches and Early Childhood Centres.

The Ministry is urging parents, caregivers, community and religious leaders to ensure that every eligible child is vaccinated.

“Every eligible child” is the message as Malawi moves to contain the spread of measles and rubella.

For more information, the public can visit the nearest health facility or call Chipatala cha Foni on 54747.

PHN NEWS | Health News

13/09/2026

IS MALAWI SLEEPING ON ITS HEALTH INNOVATORS?

Students at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) are using their skills to develop digital solutions for real problems in Malawi’s health system.

Among the innovations being showcased is a digital system designed to help track immunization among under-five children — potentially making it easier to know which children have received their vaccines, who has missed doses, and where follow-up may be needed.

And this comes at a time when Malawi is already investing in digital immunization systems. The Ministry of Health and partners have deployed platforms for real-time vaccination reporting and electronic immunization records.

So the question is bigger than “Can Malawian students innovate?”

They clearly can. The question is: What happens after these exhibitions?

Do these ideas remain university projects, or can Malawi create pathways for young innovators to test, validate, fund and eventually scale solutions that could strengthen the health system?

Is Malawi sleeping on its health innovators — or are we finally ready to listen?

13/09/2026

CHIRADZULU, MALAWI — Most wards at Chiradzulu District Hospital have no dedicated backup electricity when load-shedding cuts power, a Pakwathu Health Network investigation has found.

The male and female wards, paediatric, surgical and maternity wards reportedly operate without backup power. The nursery has backup, while the theatre is powered only when a surgical procedure is scheduled.

The shortages can leave patients and health workers without reliable lighting and disrupt the use of medical equipment, procedures and sterilisation, particularly at night. A hospital worker and a community member, both speaking anonymously, raised concerns about the impact on care.

The finding raises a wider question: how many other public hospitals and health centres across Malawi are providing care without dependable backup electricity?

Malawi, tell us: where else is this happening?

12/09/2026

Malawi is Sleeping on Innovation !!

26/08/2026

Malawi has reaffirmed its commitment to increasing domestic health financing and reducing reliance on donor support at the 76th WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Addis Ababa.

The country says stronger domestic resource mobilisation, efficient spending and financial protection are key to advancing Universal Health Coverage.

The commitment builds on reforms including Direct Facility Financing and the National Health Fund.

22/08/2026

The restriction on kabaza motorcycle taxis operating after 8 p.m. in Lilongwe may help protect riders following a reported wave of killings. Police say seven kabaza operators were murdered within one week, allegedly after criminals posed as passengers.

But for communities, another question is emerging: When kabaza stops at 8 p.m., what happens to someone who needs urgent healthcare at 10 p.m.?

For many households, kabaza is among the cheapest, fastest and most accessible forms of transport. Hospitals and health centres, however, do not close when kabaza operations stop.

A mother may need emergency maternity care. A child may suddenly become seriously ill. An injured person may need immediate treatment.

So what is the alternative?

Should communities rely on expensive private taxis? Are there emergency transport arrangements in place? Who responds when a patient has no vehicle, no money and no safe means of reaching a health facility?

These are not questions that can wait. The security of kabaza operators matters. But so does the ability of communities to safely access essential services.

What is the next solution?

If the 8 p.m. restriction is an immediate security measure, authorities must also explain what longer-term system will replace or complement night-time kabaza services.
Could Malawi develop verified night-time operators, emergency community transport networks, designated pickup points or stronger links between transport providers, police and health facilities?

And most importantly: When will communities know what that solution is?

19/08/2026

Pressure is mounting on the Ministry of Health as thousands of unemployed health professionals seek inclusion in the government’s planned recruitment of about 2,500 workers.

More than 4,000 unemployed pharmacy professionals have welcomed the recruitment plan but are asking government to ensure they are considered.

Their Vice President, Michael Francis Mthoro, says pharmacy professionals are essential to patient care, from dispensing medicines and counselling patients to managing medicines and supplies.

Meanwhile, more than 6,000 unemployed nurses and midwives are also pushing for faster recruitment.

Ministry of Health spokesperson Benedicto Mbewe says government will recruit health professionals from different sectors.

But with thousands of qualified professionals competing for about 2,500 positions, one question remains:

Who will get the jobs — and will 2,500 new recruits be enough to ease Malawi’s health worker shortage?

Source: ZBS News | Prepared for Pakwathu Health Network

19/08/2026

Kapemberwa Displeased with Kalindo Over Israel Nurses Deal

A group representing unemployed nurses and midwives in Malawi has hit back at Malawi First Organisation President Bon Kalindo over his opposition to the government’s proposed deployment of 500 nurses to Israel, arguing that unemployed health professionals cannot afford to have job opportunities blocked.

The group’s Secretary General, Benard Kapemberwa, says the government-to-government labour agreement could provide much-needed employment for qualified nurses at a time when thousands remain outside the public health service.

Kapemberwa acknowledges concerns over Malawi’s shortage of health workers and the World Health Organisation’s guidance on international recruitment, but says the voices of unemployed professionals must also be part of the debate.

“Nurses and midwives belong to professional bodies like NONM and AMAMI, therefore we cannot be represented by Kalindo,” Kapemberwa said.

Kalindo has criticised the proposed recruitment, citing the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel, which discourages the active recruitment of health workers from countries facing critical shortages.

The controversy comes amid persistent concerns over staffing levels in Malawi’s health facilities, while thousands of qualified nurses and midwives remain unemployed.

The proposed Israel deployment has therefore exposed a difficult policy question for government: should Malawi prioritise retaining every available health worker at home, or allow qualified professionals to take up jobs abroad while creating employment opportunities and potential economic benefits?

The government has not yet publicly resolved the tension between addressing domestic health workforce shortages and facilitating international employment opportunities for Malawian health professionals.

Meanwhile, preparations for the Malawi-Israel labour agreement are reportedly at an advanced stage, with recruitment expected to begin after outstanding implementation procedures are completed.

The debate is now moving beyond the proposed 500 positions — to a much bigger question about how Malawi should manage, retain and employ its health workforce.