The paradox of Malawi’s health workforce shortage: pragmatic and unpopular decisions are needed

Abstract

Malawi (2023) is experiencing significant health challenges resulting from lack of access to potable water, sanitation and hygiene, consequences of the effects of Cyclone Freddy and a critical shortage of in-post skilled human resources. The country has been battling a cholera outbreak since April 2022 which has claimed at least 1,733 lives as at 10th April 2023. All the country’s districts have been affected with 57,414 cases reported nationwide by 10th April. This figure is obviously an underestimate as many people who experience symptoms do not access the formal health system. They therefore remain unrecorded. There is no reason to believe that the outbreak is under control as deaths continue to be recorded each week.