By Hester Nyasulu,
SEP 3 – As Malawians head to the polls this September, health has finally broken into the political mainstream. For too long, women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health has been underfunded and overlooked. Now, the country’s four major parties—MCP, UTM, UDF, and DPP—are competing to outdo each other with promises of reform.
That shift is welcome. The MCP has pledged to enshrine 50-50 gender representation and reserve cabinet seats for youth. The UTM says it will meet the Abuja Declaration target of allocating 15 percent of the national budget to health. The UDF promises to boost domestic financing and cut donor dependence, while the DPP admits the sector’s deep gaps and vows long-term solutions.
Civil society deserves credit for forcing these commitments. By engaging the parties while manifestos were still being drafted, advocates ensured that health could not be sidelined. Women, youth, and the media added urgency and visibility, transforming what could have been token pledges into political stakes.
But pledges alone will not save lives. Malawi’s health sector needs reliable funding, legislation that locks in gender parity and youth leadership, and a focus on sustainability beyond electoral cycles. Political will must survive the campaign season.
The lesson is clear: cross-party consensus is possible when evidence, timing, and inclusive dialogue meet. Now, Malawians must demand that promises made on the campaign trail survive the ballot box and become policy.
The writer is Country Director at Amref Health Africa in Malawi
Hester.Nyasulu@amref.org, X handle: @amref_malawi
