14-day ultimatum expires, health workers plan strike

Healthcare workers have unveiled plans to withdraw their services in public health facilities following the expiry of the 14- day ultimatum given to President Peter Mutharika’s administration to address their grievances.

Human Resources for Health Coalition on October 27 2026 petitioned the government demanding action on several issues, including recruitment of more than 14 400 qualified health professionals or face a shutdown of health services.

In an interview yesterday, the coalition’s chairperson Solomon Chomba said they were yet to receive a response from the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC); hence, their decision to use legal provisions, including industrial action and court redress.

He said: “But more likely would be a tactical labour withdrawal. That is what we will go for.

“As I am talking now, there are no gloves in health facilities, no drugs, and people are already overburdened. So, we will use a tactical approach step by step before we go for a full withdrawal nationwide until our grievances are addressed.”

The coalition comprises health sector professional groups such as the Society of Medical Doctors and the National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives in Malawi.

Chomba also said the Ministry of Health and Sanitation has not been responsive on their request for a meeting to discuss the issues.

But in a written response yesterday, the ministry’s spokesperson Benedicto Mbewe said the ministry was already in the process of recruitment.

However, he avoided responding to the concerns about shortages of personal protective equipment and the ministry’s failure to meet the concerned healthcare workers.

Responding to the expiry of the ultimatum, OPC spokesperson Focus Maganga said yesterday in a written response that the government recently conducted interviews for the recruitment of secondary school teachers and is undertaking the recruitment of healthcare workers.

The October petition listed 118 pharmacists, 413 pharmacy technicians, 1 250 pharmacy assistants, 541 laboratory professionals, 95 medical doctors and 75 radiographers and sonographers awaiting recruitment.

In July the government said it had eased recruitment restrictions, allowing ministries, including Health and Sanitation, to fill vacancies already budgeted for in the 2026/27 financial year

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