MALAWI 7. MINISTRY OF HEALTH CATEGORY 1: WEBSITE ANALYSIS www.health.gov.mw The Ministry of Health has a functional and active website, Facebook page and X account. n = 20 Yes No Partial Additional information Does the website contain the following: 1. Up-to-date information? X 2. A description of the organisation’s powers and structure, as well as its functions and responsibilities? X 3. A list of laws, acts, etc, issued within the scope of its powers? X 4. Copies of reports, policies or programmes? X 5. Information on budget and expenditure? X 6. Information about procurement procedures or signed contracts? X 7. Information about vacancy and employment procedures? X 8. The address, telephone number, and working hours of the organisation? 9. The contact details of specific public officials? X X X 10. A mechanism to request and receive responses to electronic messages and requests for information? Total score: 12/20 CATEGORY 2: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION The following questions were sent to the Ministry of Health: Drug shortages in public hospitals and health facilities continue to haunt the health sector in Malawi. Patients are told to buy their medication from pharmacies or drug stores. What strategies has the ministry put in place to solve this problem? What is the Ministry of Health’s drug allocation in the 2023-2024 national budget? It is reported that the ARVs Malawians receive are wholly donated by foreign well-wishers/donors. Does the Ministry of Health have any fall-back plan in case these donations cease? When should Malawians expect the Cancer Centre in Lilongwe to be operational? What are the criteria for referring patients to hospitals outside the country for further treatment? What are the conditions for one to be on the list of beneficiaries? y y y y y n = 20 Yes No 1. Is there an official, who is designated to take and respond to information requests? X 2. Did the organisation reply within 21 days? X 3. Did the organisation respond to the request for information? X 4. Does the organisation publish their procedures for handling information requests? X 48 Partial Additional information Public relations officer.