Malawi’s fight against pediatric tuberculosis (TB) is under serious threat as a serious shortage of skilled healthcare workers in district hospitals continues to stop diagnosis and treatment of illnesses among children.
Dr. Samuel Chirwa, director of Pediatric TB at the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Removal Program (NTLEP), gave a rigorous revelation during a six-month media and faith leader briefing in Salima. He warned that without urgent action, one of the most vulnerable groups would continue to fall through cracks in the health system.
“Due to the lack of training personnel at the district level, detecting cases in children remains dangerously low,” Chilwa said. “Suspicious cases are constantly referred to major central hospitals in Camus Central, Queen Elizabeth and Muzuzu due to the inability of district hospitals to diagnose tuberculosis in children.”
In 2024, Malawi enrolled 1,224 cases of pediatric TB, all of which were treated. But experts warn that the number could be just the tip of the iceberg. This is often because it is likely not detected due to a shortage of healthcare workers and inadequate diagnostic infrastructure.
To close the gap, Chilwa announced the rollout of stool tests for tuberculosis in children. This is a way to facilitate sample collection and improve early detection.
“We’ve introduced sample tests on stools to make it easy to diagnose tuberculosis in young children who can’t produce sp,” he said.
But in districts like Chiratul, the crisis is already scavenging hard. District TB Officer Patrick Chikuni admitted that staff wasting has overturned benefits despite past efforts to train clinicians in pediatric TB diagnosis.
“We trained several clinicians in advanced sample collection of child TBs, but most of them were transferred. No review or exchange training has been done since,” Chikuni lamented.
Chiradzulu Hospital recorded only four cases of pediatric TB in the first quarter of 2025.
As children continue to refer long distances for basic diagnostic care, experts and advocates are now urging the Ministry of Health to urgently invest in decentralising children and restoring capacity at the district level.
Every time a diagnosis is delayed, a child’s life depends on balance.
