By Burnett Munthali
Finance authorities have assured the public that they will address the gap created by the suspension of various United States Agency for International Development (USAID) programmes in the country.
Minister of Finance, Simplex Chithyola Banda, has emphasized that the 2025/2026 proposed national budget includes a special allocation aimed at mitigating the impact of the suspension.
He has stated that one of the key areas of focus will be the recruitment of more health workers, including those who were left redundant due to the withdrawal of USAID support.
Chithyola Banda has also revealed that the Ministry of Health will take over some of the critical projects that were affected by the suspension of USAID programmes.
He has reassured the public that the government remains committed to ensuring the continuity of essential health services despite the challenges posed by the funding cuts.
The Finance Minister has acknowledged that USAID has been a key partner in supporting Malawi’s health sector, and its withdrawal has placed additional pressure on government resources.
However, he has affirmed that the government is prepared to take the necessary steps to ensure that healthcare delivery is not severely disrupted.
Chithyola Banda has urged Malawians to trust the government’s efforts in managing the situation, stating that the proposed budget is designed to provide sustainable solutions to the crisis.
He has also called for cooperation from stakeholders, including development partners, to explore alternative ways of securing support for critical projects in the country.
As the budget deliberations continue, the government is expected to provide further details on how it intends to implement these measures and ensure that the healthcare sector remains functional.
