By IOMMIE CHIWALO
The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives, (CDEDI), has penned the Parliamentary Committee on Health, warning of a full-blown drug shortage crisis in public hospitals as the Central Medical Stores Trust, CMST, is failing to pay foreign suppliers.
In a letter dated 22 September, 2026, addressed to the Chairperson of the Health Committee, Hon. Anthony Masamba, and copied to the Minister of Health, Minister of Finance and the Executive Director of CMST, CDEDI says public health facilities are struggling to access essential drugs because CMST owes its predominantly Indian suppliers in excess of USD18 million.
CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa says Malawi requires about USD25 million per year for drug procurement, translating to about USD2 million per month, yet CMST is only able to source between USD50 thousand and USD70 thousand from commercial banks — an amount he says is too little to pay foreign suppliers.
The letter further indicates that Malawi imports 80 percent of its drugs, and ordinarily, all public health facilities order supplies from CMST which in turn imports them.
Namiwa has faulted CMST for abandoning local suppliers who previously helped to cushion the country during hard times.
“Additionally, you may wish to know that the situation has been worsened by CMST’s decision to adopt the ex-stock style of procurement and has also taken a paradigm shift that has completely abandoned local suppliers for no apparent justification,” reads part of the letter.
“While they were being paid by the CMST in Malawi Kwacha, local suppliers did whatever they could to get hold of forex and bring in the much-needed drugs to save their kinsmen, driven by the patriotism spirit,” Namiwa adds.
According to CDEDI, although government has increased and timely disbursed funding to Central, General and District Hospitals, the country is facing persistent drug stockouts that will soon become a crisis if not addressed.
The governance watchdog has since questioned government’s priority spending of the scarce forex and what long-term measures are in place to address the persistent forex crisis.
“Only healthy people can contribute significantly to social and economic development; hence the saying, a healthy nation, a wealthy nation,” Namiwa says.
CDEDI is now appealing to the Parliamentary Committee on Health to invoke its powers and convene a high-level indaba to find a lasting solution to the looming crisis.
“We besiege you Hon to consider invoking the powers invested in you and the entire Parliamentary Committee on Health, to call for a high-level indaba to bang heads and find a lasting solution to the looming drug shortage crisis, before it is too late,” Namiwa appeals.
The call comes at a time when many Malawians who depend entirely on public health facilities are reportedly being sent back home or told to buy drugs from private pharmacies.
The Parliamentary Committee on Health is yet to respond to CDEDI’s appeal. But this publication has seen a stamped copy confirming receipt.
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