500 unemployed nurses have obtained a court injunction halting the deployment of newly recruited health workers, alleging that many of those selected are unqualified and unlicensed to practice in Malawi.
The High Court order follows a judicial review application filed by Emmanuel Banda, Eranivie Goodson, Wadson Gunde, and 497 others. The claimants argue that the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Local Government, and the Local Government Service Commission violated legal and professional standards by recruiting individuals who do not meet the required qualifications for nursing and midwifery posts.
The order grants the claimants permission to proceed with the judicial review, while also temporarily staying the deployment of the contested recruits, who were expected to report for duty by 1 July 2025.
“The decision of the Defendant in recruiting unqualified candidates for the posts of Nursing Officer, Nurse Midwife Technicial and Community Midwife Assistant be stayed until any further Order of the Court,” reads the ruling in part.
Meanwhile, the Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi (NMCM) has also condemned the recent recruitment and promotion process, citing that several individuals appointed do not possess valid registration or licenses.
NMCM CEO Judith Chirembo noted that some of the individuals had only just sat for the June 2025 licensing exams, while others do not appear in the council’s official database. She further revealed that some of those promoted to senior nursing positions hold degrees in unrelated fields and lack the competencies required by law.
“According to NMCM regulations, only tho standards se who hold a recognized nursing or midwifery qualification and are duly licensed are eligible for recruitment or promotion to professional practice,” said Chirembo. “Appointing unlicensed individuals undermines the integrity of the profession and contravenes regulatory.”
She emphasized that under Section 72 of the Act, any employer who hires or promotes an unlicensed nurse or midwife is committing a criminal offence and will be held accountable.
NMCM has issued a directive to all Deputy Directors of Nursing and Midwifery Services (DDNMS), District Nursing and Midwifery Officers (DNMOS), and Human Resource Management Officers to verify the registration and licensure status of all personnel before confirming appointments.
The Council has also submitted a list of ten individuals who were allegedly recruited or promoted without meeting the legal requirements and has pledged to follow up with appropriate enforcement action.
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