By Chisomo Phiri
The National Anti-Corruption Alliance (NACA) has urged the government to urgently outline concrete measures to address alleged corruption in Malawi’s public hospitals following a recent investigative expose.
The investigation, conducted by a collaborative team of investigative journalists from different media houses, uncovered what it described as an ‘informal tariff system’ in which patients are reportedly forced to make unauthorised payments to access treatment.
In a statement addressed to the Ministry of Health, NACA chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa says the alliance is deeply concerned by the findings and is demanding immediate government action.
“This matter must be treated not simply as an administrative concern, but as a potential human rights and governance issue with direct life-and-death consequences,” says Kaiyatsa.
He has also called on the government to publish a clear action plan detailing how it will investigate and dismantle corruption networks, coordinate enforcement with anti-corruption bodies, strengthen complaints systems, protect whistle-blowers, and raise public awareness.
“We urge your office to publicly outline the Government’s response, including specific timelines and institutional responsibilities,” he says.
Among the hospitals where the said corruption is very high are Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe and Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH ) in Blantyre.
