Solidarity Alliance demands immediate health executive order enforcement
The Solidarity Alliance Party has called for swift enforcement of the Executive Order issued by Arthur Peter Mutharika, which bans fees in public health facilities and bars public health workers from private practice.
In a statement the party’s president Dr Victor Madhlopa said strict enforcement of the directive is essential to restoring integrity and public confidence in the health sector.
“Public servants must dedicate 100 percent of their time and skill to serving patients. This is the only way to guarantee quality health care for all Malawians,” said Madhlopa.
The executive order, signed on 16 February 2026, prohibits any employee of a government hospital or public health facility from soliciting or accepting payments from patients as a condition for receiving treatment.
It further provides that any officer found engaging in the malpractice shall face summary dismissal and prosecution under Malawian law.
The order also restricts public health workers from owning, operating or holding shares in private clinics or pharmacies.
Those currently holding such interests have been given 30 days to divest, failing which they risk dismissal and possible legal action.
Meanwhile, Madhlopa called on the Medical Council of Malawi to withdraw private practice licences issued to civil servants and urged the Ministry of Health to revoke permits allowing dual practice arrangements.
While acknowledging that some health workers may resign in protest, he described this as a necessary cost of reform aimed at protecting patients’ constitutional right to access health services without discrimination or deprivation.
He however cautioned that enforcement alone will not resolve systemic weaknesses in the sector, stressing the need for improved pay, staffing and medical supplies to ensure lasting reform.
Madhlopa also suggested extending similar accountability measures to teachers and other public professionals to strengthen service delivery across government.
