By Jimmy Chazama:
Parliament has pledged reforms following a joint media investigation that exposed bribery in public hospitals where patients were allegedly forced to pay for treatment.
The Parliamentary Committee on Health said the findings show that services meant to be free are being sold illegally, putting vulnerable patients at risk.
Chairperson of the committee Anthony Masamba said Malawi’s health budget remains below the Abuja Declaration target of 15 percent, with 9.3 percent allocated in the current fiscal year.
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“The vulnerable people who are supposed to have access to free healthcare are being charged,” Masamba said.
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He made the remarks Wednesday during an inquiry with media houses including The Times Group, Platform for Investigative Journalism (PIJ) and Nation Publications Limited, aimed at gathering evidence and recommendations on how to prevent corruption in health facilities.
Masamba said the committee will present a report to the National Assembly with proposals for reforms, including strengthening the hospital ombudsman’s office, which currently handles more than 16,000 complaints but lacks independence.
Investigative journalist Golden Matonga, representing PIJ, said the investigation highlighted challenges faced by patients who are often unable to access services without paying unofficial fees.
Matonga said patients were frequently sidelined unless they paid guards, clerks or health workers.
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“We are grateful that institutions of government, the Executive led by the President and now Parliament, have decided to take action because of a story,” Matonga said.
The investigation, ‘Pay up or die’, was conducted earlier this year by reporters from Capital Radio Malawi, PIJ, Zodiak Broadcasting Station, The Nation, MIJ FM, The Times Group and The African Brief.
It revealed a system of unofficial payments at referral hospitals such as Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and Kamuzu Central Hospital, where families were charged for services that are officially free, including scans, surgeries and mortuary processes.
Following the investigation, President Peter Mutharika ordered the Ministry of Health and the Anti-Corruption Bureau to investigate the allegations and take disciplinary action against staff involved in demanding bribes.
He also directed that hospital ombudsman offices be strengthened to improve the handling of complaints.
