Parliament intends to summon the Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) to outline progress concerning the government’s plan to autonomise the country’s four public referral hospitals.

In a bid to ensure provision of top-notch services, the government plans to let the Queen Elizabeth, Zomba, Kamuzu and the Mzuzu central hospitals have their own boards and purchase their own modern equipment and drugs.

It follows concerns about the poor quality of services that are offered in Malawian public hospitals which often force those who can afford to opt for private hospitals or foreign treatment.

While the hospitals will get the opportunity to make money, Chairperson of Parliament’s Health Committee, Mathews Ngwale, is hopeful that the public will be offered quality health care regardless of status.