The Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) has welcomed an Executive Order issued by President Peter Mutharika aimed at curbing corruption in public health facilities.
The Executive Order seeks to eliminate bribery and the practice of referring patients from public hospitals to private clinics for personal gain.
The directive forms part of broader efforts to restore integrity and accountability in the country’s public health system.
Under the new order, illegal payments in public hospitals are strictly prohibited. Health workers found engaging in corrupt practices risk dismissal and other disciplinary measures.
The directive also bars public health workers from operating in or referring patients to private clinics where conflicts of interest may arise. Authorities say this measure is intended to protect patients from exploitation and ensure equal access to services.
MHEN Executive Director, George Jobe, described the move as worthwhile and timely, noting that corruption has long undermined service delivery in public hospitals.
However, Jobe cautioned that the success of the order will depend on strict and consistent enforcement. He observed that similar reform initiatives in the past failed due to weak oversight and political interference.
He further emphasized the need for authorities to implement the measures effectively and without favoritism. According to Jobe, transparency and accountability must be central to the reform process.
In addition, MHEN has urged the government to protect whistleblowers who expose wrongdoing and to address systemic challenges such as drug shortages and inadequate resources, which often create conditions that enable corruption.
