High Court Blocks Mutharika Order Barring Public Health Workers from Owning Private Clinics
Published on March 13, 2026 at 6:17 PM by Edgar Naitha
The High Court in Lilongwe has granted an injunction stopping the implementation of an executive order issued by President Peter Mutharika that barred public health officers from owning or holding shares in private clinics or pharmacies.
The order was issued by Judge Howard Pemba following an application by health practitioners Aubrey Milinda, Davie Kalulu and Wellington Chipofya.
The applicants challenged the directive and sought court intervention to stop its enforcement.
The court also granted them leave to seek judicial review of the executive order.
The directive, issued on February 16, 2026, required public medical officers with private health investments to divest within 30 days or risk dismissal from government employment.
