Malawian President Peter Mutharika has issued an executive order barring employees in public hospitals and other state-run health facilities from owning, operating or holding shares in private clinics or pharmacies.

The order came as a way of curbing conflicts of interest and corruption in the health sector.

The order, issued Tuesday, also prohibits government health workers from soliciting, demanding or accepting payments or monetary favours from patients as a condition for receiving treatment.

The directive follows remarks by Health and Sanitation Minister Madalitso Baloyi regarding allegations that some medical practitioners were demanding large sums of money from patients and guardians in public hospitals in exchange for providing services.

According to the executive order, some health personnel were also advising patients to seek treatment at private clinics to access better care, a practice the president described as unlawful, unethical, and wholly unacceptable.

Mr Mutharika said the alleged conduct contravenes patients’ constitutional right to access public health services.

The order gives public health employees who own private facilities 30 days to relinquish their ownership stakes.

“Any employee currently holding such ownership or shares must divest within thirty (30) days from the date of this Executive Order. Failure to comply shall result in dismissal and further legal action as appropriate,” the directive stated. 

The Malawi Health Equity Network welcomed the measure, calling it a “bold and long-overdue intervention” to protect Malawians from illegal payments, coercion and discrimination.

However, the group urged strict enforcement, including the establishment of safe and accessible reporting mechanisms and protections for whistleblowers. 

(Xinhua/NAN)