Trouble: No TB medicine in Malawi hospitals

Malawi’s public hospitals are facing a severe shortage of tuberculosis (TB) medicine, leaving thousands of patients without access to treatment.

The situation has reportedly been attributed to a lack of foreign exchange (forex) to import the medication.

The situation has forced healthcare workers to turn away patients, advising them to return at a later date.

Malawi’s public health system serves approximately 80% of the country’s population, with many citizens unable to afford private healthcare.

The shortage of TB medicine has therefore left a significant portion of the population vulnerable.

TB is a significant public health concern in Malawi, with the country recording one of the highest prevalence rates in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Malawi had an estimated 55,000 new TB cases in 2020, with a prevalence rate of 164 per 100,000 people.

The lack of TB medicine has raised fears of a surge in TB-related deaths and the spread of drug-resistant strains of the disease.

Health experts warn that the shortage could undermine efforts to combat TB in the country.

However, the Ministry of Health has assured the public that it is working to address the shortage.