300 patients set for free specialist surgeries

The Malawi government has launched a new healthcare intervention aimed at easing the struggles of patients who have been waiting for specialised medical services.

Minister of Health and Sanitation Madalitso Baloyi has announced the launch of a nationwide surgical campaign targeting 300 patients who have been waiting for specialised operations, describing the initiative as another major milestone in improving access to healthcare in Malawi.

Baloyi made the announcement in Parliament on Monday after Mchinji North Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Committee on Health Chairperson Anthony Masamba commended the ministry for signing a service-level agreement with Blantyre International Cancer Centre, which is expected to reduce the country’s reliance on overseas medical referrals.

The minister said the surgical camps, running from 20 to 31 July, will be conducted at Mzuzu Central Hospital, Kamuzu Central Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.

She said the programme is targeting 300 patients with surgical needs, particularly those from underserved communities and those who have spent long periods on waiting lists for treatment.

“Today my ministry has launched surgical camps here in Malawi that will be conducted in Mzuzu Central Hospital, Kamuzu Central Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital targeting 300 patients that have surgical needs,” Baloyi told Parliament.

She said many of the beneficiaries are patients who would previously have been considered for referral to countries such as India for specialised treatment.

Baloyi described the surgical campaign as a major step towards strengthening specialised healthcare services in Malawi while reducing dependence on overseas treatment.

Earlier, Masamba also commended the ministry for signing a service-level agreement with Blantyre International Cancer Centre, saying the partnership is expected to save government about billions of Kwacha previously spent on referring patients to hospitals in India, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya.