Malawi hospitals financial chaos continue: Donors shift aid to next year

Ministry of Health has said K13 billion which donors have pledged to pump into the collapsing public health sector will only be accessed from early next year.

The ministry comments come after Nyasa Times observed that most hospitals are struggling to serve patients with some hospitals failing to settle huge debts.

Adrian Chikumbe, spokesman for the ministry of Health said donors and the government are working on modalities on how the money should be used.

“We want to ensure there is transparency and accountability on the use of the money. We don’t want the money to be abused. The money will be made available early next year,” said Chikumbe.

He had a few weeks ago said the K13 billion will be used from December 2015 to November 2016.

Some public hospitals have suspended food distribution and suspended ambulance services as they face huge budget cuts due to the withdrawal of donor aid after US$60 million was plundered at Capital Hill, the seat of government in Lilongwe in the infamous cashgate two years ago.