Malawi’s healthcare system is facing challenges as the country grapples with a rising burden of diseases, inadequate medical infrastructure, and a shortage of healthcare professionals.
A recent report by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP), and the AU High-Level Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET) titled Leveraging Research Prioritisation and Emerging Technologies to Strengthen Healthcare Delivery in Africa Monograph has placed Malawi among the African countries facing the most severe healthcare challenges due to weak healthcare systems, high disease prevalence, and limited access to medical services
According to the report, hospitals across the country, particularly in rural areas, are struggling to meet the growing demand for medical services as many facilities are overcrowded, with patients forced to wait for long hours—sometimes days—for treatment.
“The state of health delivery on the continent remains a pressing concern. Many countries struggle with a limited number of hospitals and clinics, and a shortage of staff, leading to overcrowded facilities and long wait times for patients to access medical care,” reads the report.
The report adds that Malaria continues to be a leading cause of illness and death in Malawi, particularly during the rainy season when cases surge.
Despite efforts to distribute insecticide-treated mosquito nets and promote preventive measures, thousands of Malawians are hospitalized with severe malaria every year.
Similarly, HIV/AIDS remains a pressing issue, with the report noting that access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved, but gaps in healthcare delivery mean that many people—especially in rural areas—still struggle to receive treatment and support.
“Between 2020 and 2022, AIDS-related deaths decreased by thirty-six percent, and the number of new HIV infections also decreased by forty-three percent. However, HIV continues to be an epidemic, especially in Africa’s urban areas and is more prevalent in women,” reads the report.
Despite the challenges, the report highlights efforts by the Malawian government, in collaboration with international organizations, to strengthen the country’s healthcare system.
Key initiatives include expanding community health services, deploying drones to deliver essential medical supplies, and integrating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and mobile health applications to improve healthcare access.
“Improvement in healthcare and provision of future health security in Africa will depend on two main factors: increased research in priority areas such as genomics, biospecimen, biobanking and data management, maternal, neonatal and child health, and One Health; and adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, Internet of Medical Things, and blockchain to improve diagnostics and treatments and ultimately health outcomes,” reads the report.
However, despite these efforts, Malawi’s healthcare sector remains underfunded, with many hospitals facing persistent drug shortages and a lack of modern medical equipment.
The report calls for increased investment in research and technology to improve diagnostic capabilities and disease management.
The AUDA-NEPAD, AFIDEP, and APET report warns that without urgent intervention and sustained investment, Malawi risks reversing the progress made in recent years, emphasizing that prioritizing research and emerging technologies could play a transformative role in addressing the country’s healthcare challenges.
The other African affected countries include Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, the Central African Republic (CAR), Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Mozambique.
The report was officially launched on February 14, 2025 at a side event of the 38th African Union Summit on harnessing research, innovation, and emerging technologies for a resilient future, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
