Malawi is feared to have sold its sacred health data to the United States in exchange for a five-year $936 million bilateral health corporation agreement, a development which has raised eyebrows over the country’s data protection.
Others have asked the courts to reverse the decision that the US announced on its website that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the health deal between Malawi and the US sets a new course for national ownership, co-investment, and measurable results, citing its putting Malawian health data at risk.
According to the US, the agreement aims to provide $792 million over the next five years to strengthen the country’s healthcare system and combat diseases while protecting Americans from global infectious disease threats like HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, among others.
Minister of Finance Joseph Mwanamveka says the main interest in the agreement is the financial resources being offered as the country seeks increased funding to strengthen the national health system.
Speaking to Zodiak, health rights advocate Maziko Matemba has urged Malawi to exercise caution on how the agreement will benefit the nation, saying there may be other areas in the partnership agreement to be looked into on time.
Signed under the America First Global Health Strategy through a bilateral Global Health MOU, Malawi missed the signing deadline on December 31, 2025, with no known reasons.
