- Among the 73% of Malawians who had contact with a public health clinic or hospital during the previous year, more than six in 10 (62%) say it was “difficult” or “very difficult” to access the health services they needed (Figure 1). o Eight in 10 respondents who visited a public health facility say they encountered a lack of medicines or medical supplies (81%) and long wait times (81%). Many others report high costs that prevented them from getting needed care (69%), absent medical personnel (50%), and facilities in poor condition (46%) (Figure 2).
- Only one in 25 Malawians (4%) say they have some form of medical aid coverage to help pay their medical bills if they get sick (Figure 3).
- Among the few Malawians with medical insurance, a majority rely on private health insurance schemes (58%) (Figure 4).
- Among Malawians who do not have medical aid coverage, the most commonly cited reasons are a lack of awareness of available health insurance schemes (45%) and the inability to pay for health insurance (36%) (Figure 5).
A majority of Malawians say they face challenges accessing public health services and are not covered by any form of medical insurance, a recent Afrobarometer survey indicates.
Among citizens who visited a public clinic or hospital in the past 12 months, nearly two-thirds say it was difficult to obtain the health services they needed. Large majorities say they encountered a lack of medicines or supplies, long wait times, and unaffordable costs.
Despite the existence of medical aid schemes in the country, an overwhelming majority of Malawians are not enrolled in any form of health insurance. Most say they are unaware that such services exist or can’t afford them.
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