USAID Cuts Threaten Maternal Health Services in Malawi. Mulanje and Lilongwe, Malawi — 2025-12-10 Lead Paragraph The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding cuts have left thousands of women and children in Malawi without access to essential healthcare services, particularly in remote areas.
The reduction in funding has led to the closure of health posts, including one in Mulanje district, which has raised concerns about a potential rise in maternal deaths.
Body. Health posts like the one in Mulanje, which were crucial for providing basic healthcare, antenatal care, family planning, and vaccines, are now operating infrequently due to the cuts.
The facility, which used to serve dozens of women daily, is now open only around once every two weeks, stretching its supplies and unable to regularly transport healthcare workers.
USAID’s MOMENTUM program, which provided funding for remote medical outposts in 14 of Malawi’s 28 districts, was paused and subsequently led to the closure of two dozen mobile posts.
The program, which covered everything from staff training to drug and supply provision, was a significant source of funding for Malawi’s health system, accounting for nearly 32 percent of the country’s total health budget before the cuts. Health experts in Malawi have expressed concerns that the withdrawal of these services will have a severe impact on maternal and child health.
Ireen Makata, a nursing officer specializing in maternal and newborn care, has seen a decline in the number of patients she can care for due to the reduced frequency of her visits to the health post.
She fears that many women are now unable to access the care they need, particularly during the critical first trimester of pregnancy. Margaret Moyo, head coordinator at the Bwaila Fistula Centre in Lilongwe, is also worried about the future of maternal health services.
The centre, which treats women suffering from obstetric fistula, has seen an increase in patients due to the lack of access to proper healthcare in rural areas. Moyo argues that with fewer resources, there will be more cases of fistula and a decrease in preventive measures. Despite these challenges, Malawi’s Secretary of Health, Dr.
Samson Mndolo, remains optimistic. He believes that the government can find ways to be more efficient and maximize resources to provide healthcare services. Mndolo is looking to push towards a more community-based health system, with doctors and health workers from central hospitals providing services in remote areas.
The impact of the USAID cuts on Malawi’s healthcare system is still unfolding.
The government and health experts are working to find solutions to fill the gaps left by the funding reduction. Further details are expected as the situation develops.
*Additional reporting by ImNews*
