Paid-up members of the Nurses and Midwives Organisation in Malawi (NONM) will head to the polls in November to choose leaders expected to steer the body’s response to members’ welfare concerns over the next four years.
The organisation has set 27 November as the election date, with preparations already underway, according to information seen by Malawi24 Online News. Executive Director of NONM confirmed that members will elect a new leadership team to serve paid-up members for the next four years.
As the race begins to take shape, a group of paid-up members operating under the banner “NONM Yathu Surveys” says it conducted an opinion survey covering 22 district hospitals, one central hospital and five CHAM hospitals to gauge members’ preferences ahead of the vote.
The survey places Frank Kamwendo in the lead with 64 percent support, while the second-ranked potential candidate received 10 percent. It also found that 14 percent of respondents remain undecided, suggesting the contest could still shift as more candidates enter the race.
Survey organisers describe Kamwendo as a prominent nursing figure who has campaigned for the mass recruitment of unemployed nurses. They also say he was transferred from Nsanje District Health Office to Lilongwe District Health Office after publicly criticising the current NONM leadership.
According to the organisers, Kamwendo previously chaired a task force that challenged the union’s handling of members’ concerns, including salary and allowance adjustments.
They further claim he took the organisation to court over the conduct of its Biennial General Assembly, alleging procedural irregularities such as failure to invite all District Executive Committee members, adoption of resolutions without a quorum and giving priority to scientific conference presentations over the assembly.
Meanwhile, NONM leadership has distanced the organisation from the opinion survey through a disclaimer.
