KOMA MATENDA AWASO ABALE – Malawi Battles Rising Mpox Cases Amid Health System Crisis.
Health officials confirm new infections as vaccine shortages and donor aid cuts threaten response capaci
Lilongwe, Malawi — The Ministry of Health has confirmed three new cases of Mpox in the capital city, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 15 since the first was reported in April. Malawi joins 15 other African nations battling Mpox outbreaks, with limited vaccine supplies and overstretched health facilities complicating containment efforts.
The newly infected individuals, aged between 17 and 41, are under observation as health authorities investigate the source of infection and trace possible contacts. Although the majority of cases have been recorded in Lilongwe, a two-year-old child in Mangochi District—over 240 kilometers away—has also tested positive, raising concerns about wider geographic spread.
This outbreak comes at a time when Malawi’s healthcare system is under significant strain due to the recent withdrawal of U.S. government funding. The U.S. had been contributing more than $350 million annually to Malawi’s health sector, much of it supporting HIV programmes. Since the cuts, drug shortages have been reported, with some HIV-positive patients forced to stop treatment. Experts warn that immunocompromised individuals are at greater risk of severe Mpox symptoms, making the situation more precarious.
Across the continent, the Africa CDC reports more than 52,000 Mpox cases and over 1,770 deaths since January. While the region requires 6.4 million vaccine doses to respond effectively, only 1.3 million are currently available. Some countries, including Sierra Leone, are seeing exponential case increases and overwhelmed hospitals, where two patients may share a single bed.
In Malawi, public awareness of Mpox remains low, echoing the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when misinformation and reliance on traditional remedies were common. Interviews in Lilongwe revealed that many people have limited or no knowledge about Mpox. “I heard about it from a Ministry of Health official, but I haven’t seen anyone affected,” said local taxi driver Steven Banda. “We really don’t know much about it.”
Health professionals are calling for increased vigilance. Dr. Victor Mithi, president of the Society of Medical Doctors, warned that cultural practices like hugging and handshakes—common expressions of affection—may accelerate transmission in densely populated areas. He noted that although Malawi has the medical knowledge to manage the outbreak, the loss of foreign aid has weakened the country’s ability to respond effectively.
“Donors cover nearly 60 percent of Malawi’s healthcare costs, and more than half of that came from the U.S.,” said Dr. Mithi. “Without those funds, our system is severely weakened. We are now facing a crisis without the resources we once relied on.”
