Big Picture Science: Malawi: A Path Forward
The abrupt defunding of USAID in 2025 caused global shockwaves. The
cuts thrust recipient countries who were dependent on foreign aid for
medical
care into health crises. One area that has been particularly hard hit
is
Malawi, a country in southeastern Africa where doctors and community
organizers
are struggling to fill the gaps in essential services left in the wake
of the USAID cuts. The loss of local outreach clinics and lack of fuel
for ambulances
has caused severe delays—and sometimes tragic outcomes—in providing
care to
mothers and children. A year out from the cuts, we look at how Malawi
is
rethinking its relationship to foreign aid as it considers how to
continue
providing vital health services.
In the first of a series supported by the nonprofit Pulitzer Center and
in collaboration with Science Magazine, we provide an on-the-ground look at the
impact of USAID defunding on health services in key spots across the globe.
Guests:
Voices heard in the show:
- Fanizo Simenti – community health worker at Katenje Health
Post, Kasungu district
- Emily Mvula – former recipient of services provided by
USAID MOMENTUM
- Donald Makwakwa – executive director, Family Planning
Association of Malawi
- Issah Omar Nicks – nursing officer overseeing the maternity
ward at the Makiyoni Health Center, Salima District
- Aran Nkhata – medical clinician in charge of Makiyoni
Health Center, Salima District
- Flywell Elenesto – cold chain technician for Salima District,
Malawi
- Sungeni Thole – nurse midwife technician at Makiyoni Health
Center, Salima District
- Anthony Masamba – MP and chair of The Parliamentary Committee
on Health
Download podcast at -
https://bigpicturescience.org/episodes/malawi-a-path-forward
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