The right choices: achieving universal health coverage in Malawi

Malawi has a proud history of delivering free healthcare for its citizens, but this is now seriously under threat. Bypass fees for hospitals are already causing major hardship by excluding poor people from accessing the healthcare they need.

The Government of Malawi must reject the fees system completely and instead use tax financing and development aid. Development partners must support the health sector with adequate financing to fulfil world leaders’ commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind.

Malawi cannot be the first country in a generation to introduce these dangerous fees while the world watches.