Health expert tips Lilongwe to prioritize abandoned USAID projects

Capital Hill has been urged to prioritize completing abandoned USAID projects when disbursing funds allocated to the health sector in the 2025/26 national budget.

According to the proposed budget for the new fiscal year, the Treasury has allocated K741.05 billion to the health sector, which officials say will be crucial for completing critical infrastructure projects.

This marks a slight increase from the K729.47 billion allocated in the 2024/25 national budget.

Presenting the budget statement in Parliament on Friday, Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda emphasized that part of the allocation will go toward completing key health projects.

“The following are some of the key projects to be implemented, such as the completion of the cancer center and the construction of Mponera Community Hospital. The allocation will also fund the construction of 55 health posts, support the Malawi Emergency Project to protect essential health services, and contribute to the health sector joint fund,” Chithyola Banda stated.

Health rights campaigner Maziko Matemba welcomed the allocation but urged officials to carefully plan expenditures, particularly considering various USAID-abandoned projects.

“Last year, the health sector received about 4.2% of the national budget, and we thought we were progressing toward the 15% target. However, it is concerning that this year’s allocation stands at 9.2%.

We hope that when the budget committee meets next week, they will focus on clusters and quality of supply to ensure the budget aligns with global health trends,” Matemba said.

Meanwhile, Malawi joins other countries already experiencing the effects of the Trump administration’s decision to eliminate over 90% of foreign aid contracts and cut approximately $60 billion in funding.