By Burnett Munthali
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leader, Peter Mutharika, has criticized President Lazarus Chakwera for failing to visit patients at Mangochi Hospital on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024, despite prior plans to do so.
According to a statement signed by DPP spokesperson Shadric Namalomba, Mutharika had planned to visit the hospital on the same day but postponed his trip out of respect for the President’s office, as Chakwera had already scheduled a visit to the facility.
However, Mutharika expressed disappointment that Chakwera canceled his visit altogether and did not show up at the hospital as planned.
“In respecting the office of the President, the former Head of State and his wife postponed their visit to Mangochi Hospital,” Namalomba’s statement reads. “Unfortunately, President Chakwera failed to follow through on his commitment and did not visit the hospital. This is not a good practice and serves as a reminder that leaders must always be reliable in their duties and decisions.”
The incident has sparked debate over the priorities and commitments of Malawi’s leadership, with critics questioning whether such lapses reflect poorly on the government’s dedication to serving citizens.
The Christmas Day visit would have been an opportunity for leaders to show compassion and solidarity with patients and hospital staff. Instead, it has become a missed chance overshadowed by accusations of poor planning and broken promises.
This development adds to ongoing scrutiny of President Chakwera’s leadership, with opposition voices like Mutharika urging greater accountability and reliability in fulfilling presidential duties.
