Malawi-Israel healthworkers deal: Who benefits the most? – DW – 05/26/2025
Malawi churns out more nurses from college than it can employ. A new deal to send health workers to Israel promises jobs and relief, but will it drain an already fragile healthcare system?
With high unemployment among healthcare professionals, an agreement between Malawi andIsrael will see the Southern African nation send trained nurses and midwivesto Israeli health institutions. The Malawian government says the bilateral deal, signed in April, will benefit healthcare workers by giving them a job, new skills and help them support their families through remittances.
Several Malawian nurses, like Christina Jere, are excited about the prospect of working in Israel.
"I would definitely go. I have been qualified for three years and I haven't even been called for an interview," Jere told DW.
"Malawi is my home, but why would I stay in a country where I have spent so much on college fees without a job?
Elizabeth Gondwe—another trained nurse—has similar aspirations. "I've stayed for a long time without being employed. I'm so excited because here in Malawi I was unable to help my family," Gondwe explained to DW, adding that she eventually envisions returning to Malawi with more skills and experience.
Criticism of the Malawi-Israel healthcare workers' deal
Not everyone is thrilled about the idea of sending skilled healthcare workers abroad. A similar deal agreed in 2023, in which Malawians went to work in Israel's agricultural sector, caused uproar amid reports of exploitation , poor working conditions, and Malawian workers being deported for breaching their work contracts.
Critics also say Malawi's health system is under-resourcedand cannot afford to lose trained personnel. Malawi's nurse-to-patient ratio is about one-third below that of the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended ratio of at least one nurse per 1,000 patients.
While the deal has been seen as a win for the Malawian government, Malawian observers have also questioned the government's motives, seeing this as a political move, rather than taking the interests of Malawian citizens into account .
Malawian healthcare workers could soon be working in hospitals such as this one in Tel Aviv Image: polk430/Depositphotos/IMAGO
In addition, Malawi's policies regarding Israel break with the existing trends of other countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Notably, South Africa has accused the Israeli leadership of war crimes in Gaza during Israel's war on Hamas. In contrast, Malawi opened an embassy in Tel Aviv in 2024 and is seen by Israel as a strong ally on the continent.
Lastly, watching the Malawian government invest in training healthcare workers only to see them encouraged to move abroad, taking their skills and knowledge with them, has stirred debate in Malawi. However, Mercy Mwalilino, a practicing midwife in Malawi, told DW that some nurses are earning as little as 3,453 Malawian Kwacha ($2, €1,75) a day. According to Mwalilino, only a quarter of qualified nurses have found employment within Malawi's healthcare system.
How will Malawian healthcare workers fare in Israel?
Concerns have also been raised about working conditions in Israel and whether proper protections are in place for the Malawian workers.
The previous initiative, which saw Malawian agricultural workers go to Israel, was stopped after the workers complained of difficult working conditions, left their jobs to work in the informal sector, or sought asylum in Israel. In contrast, this bilateral deal for the nurses was driven by private labor recruiters.
Malawi: Ending period poverty using banana fiber pads
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
For Mercy Mwalilino, the bilateral agreement between Israel and Malawi gives a sense of security to the deal.
"The Malawi government is finalizing this deal in conjunction with the National Organization of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi, which is responsible into looking into all those conditions for the nurses before sending them there," she told DW, adding that those willing to go can earn $200 to $300 a month.
When asked about the possibility of Malawians potentially working in a dangerous part of Israel threatened by war, Mwalilino admitted this was a concern. "Those in dilemma because of the security risks will not be forced to go."
Will Malawian healthcare workers return?
Other potential candidates, like Esther Malanga, are more circumspect about working in the Middle Eastern country.
"Adapting to a new language, culture and work environment could be a challenge, and could impact my personal life. Initially I would consider working in Israel for one to two years."
Malawian officials justified the policy by saying nurses and midwives would be upskilled in Israel before coming back when their contracts are over. For Malanga, that would be an attractive option.
"Going to Israel would help me improve patient care and learn about different health systems, approaches and technologies that I could bring back to Malawi," she told DW.
However, others like Christina Jere are not sure about returning. "Going to Israel is something exciting, and I don't think I would come back."
Malawi strikes deal with Israel to send nurses
To play this audio please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 audio
Josephine Mahachi contributed to this article
Edited by: Chrispin Mwakideu
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
DW
2 days ago
- DW
Turkey sees sharp rise in obesity – DW – 06/01/2025
Experts have linked high body weight to poverty, pesticides and malnutrition, among other things. The Health Ministry is fighting back, but its measures are drawing criticism. Worldwide, over 1 billion people are living with obesity. It's become such a serious issue that the World Health Organization has called it an "epidemic." According to a 2022 WHO report , Turkey ranks first in Europe for rates of overweight and obesity, with 66.8% of people affected. Turkey is also one of the world's high-income nations that is experiencing the sharpest rise in obesity. By 2030, it's estimated that 27 million people in Turkey — or one in three — will be obese. Health and social experts attribute this trend to insufficient nutrition, social inequality, unhealthy food supplies and a lack of coherent policy strategies. Studies indicate that one in five children in Turkey suffers from malnutrition, at least 10% of whom are overweight or obese. 'Poverty is the problem' For years, Turkey has faced high food price inflation, reducing citizens' purchasing power. Hacer Foggo, a Turkish poverty researcher and activist, said the growing number of obese children can be linked to extreme poverty. "Malnutrition can stunt growth and lead to obesity," she said, pointing to a 2022 study by the Turkish Statistical Institute showing that 62.4% of children in Turkey predominantly eat bread and pasta. These findings, she added, have not been taken seriously enough. Bulent Sik, a food researcher, sees a direct link between the rise in child obesity and the widespread consumption of highly processed foods with low nutritional value and a high sugar content. "The increasing consumption of cheap, easily accessible snacks and sugary soft drinks is directly tied to the rise in obesity," he said. As long as the manufacturing of these products is not regulated, he added, most political measures remain merely symbolic. Sik also warned of another risk: the use of toxic chemicals in food production, such as pesticides and certain additives that are related to hormonal imbalances and weight gain. "Some of these toxic substances have a negative impact on hormone systems," he explained, "which poses a serious threat, especially for growing children." He cited a study by Greenpeace Turkey showing that one-third of produce sold in Istanbul contained pesticide residues that can disrupt hormones, impede neurological development and potentially cause cancer. Despite these findings, Sik said, government food oversight policies still focus primarily on calorie counting. Health Ministry launches national campaign Turkey's Health Ministry has launched a national public health campaign to combat obesity, setting up stations in busy public areas and at event venues to measure citizens' height, weight and body mass index, or BMI. The aim is to identify overweight individuals and refer them to health centers or general practitioners, where they can receive support from nutritional advisers. The ministry hopes its campaign, launched in mid-May, will reach 10 million citizens within two months and help raise awareness about the dangers of obesity while promoting a healthy lifestyle. Turkey's Health Ministry has launched a nationwide campaign in an effort to curb obesity Image: Eren Bozkurt/Anadolu/picture alliance But the effort has drawn criticism for stigmatizing overweight individuals and overlooking the country's broader economic struggles. Healthy foods often expensive, inaccessible Experts say the state has not issued adequate guidelines for healthy eating or restricted the marketing of unhealthy foods. This lack of regulation is putting children and low-income communities at particular risk. "Political decision-makers are responsible for creating solutions," said Sik. Healthy and fresh foods are often more expensive and largely inaccessible to low-income households, leading to a nutritional imbalance. This contributes to obesity, growth disorders and iron deficiency in children. Over half of Turkey's children reportedly eat mostly bread and pasta, which experts warn can cause malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies Image: Adem Alta/AFP Both Sik and Foggo support a nationwide free school meal program. Foggo criticized the government for failing to act, despite repeated calls. "In the parliament's protocols, you can see that the Health Ministry has recognized the problem and sees that school meals are the solution. But not a single step has been taken," she said. Turkey is also facing a shortage of professionals in the field. According to the health and social workers' union Saglik Sen, the number of dietitians working in public hospitals has dropped by nearly 20% over the past five years. This article was originally written in German.
DW
3 days ago
- DW
Middle East: UN labels Gaza 'the hungriest place on Earth' – DW – 05/30/2025
Skip next section 100% of Gazans at risk of famine 05/30/2025 May 30, 2025 100% of Gazans at risk of famine The UN has issued more dire warnings about the desperate situation unfolding in Gaza as attempts to get aid to Palestinians continue. "Gaza is the hungriest place on Earth," said Jens Laerke, spokesman for the UN humanitarian agency OCHA, as quoted by the AFP news agency. "It's the only defined area — a country or defined territory within a country — where you have the entire population at risk of famine. 100% of the population at risk of famine," Laerke said, rejecting claims by Israeli authorities that it wasn't the case. While the aid blockade has been partially eased in recent days, of the 900 truckloads of authorized aid, only 600 had been offloaded on the Gazan side. "This limited number of truckloads that are coming in... it's a trickle," Laerke said, describing it as "drip-feeding food." The spokesman said the mission to deliver aid was "in an operational straitjacket that makes it one of the most obstructed aid operations not only in the world today, but in recent history." Tommaso Della Longa, a spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, also said that half of the organization's medical facilities in the area were out of action due to a lack of fuel or medical equipment.
Int'l Business Times
4 days ago
- Int'l Business Times
France To Ban Smoking Outdoors In Most Places: Minister
France will ban smoking in all outdoor places that can be accessed by children, including beaches, parks and bus stops, the health and family minister announced Thursday. Famed as a country where smokers linger over cigarettes on cafe terraces or strolling down cobblestone streets, France has increasingly tightened restrictions on tobacco use in public spaces in recent years. The new ban, which will enter into force on July 1, will cover all spaces where children could be present, including "beaches, parks, public gardens, outside of schools, bus stops and sports venues", said the minister Catherine Vautrin. "Tobacco must disappear where there are children," Vautrin said in an interview published by the regional Ouest-France daily on its website. The freedom to smoke "stops where children's right to breathe clean air starts," she said. The ban will also extend to schools, to stop students smoking in front of them. Offenders face a fine of up to 135 euros ($154), Vautrin said. The ban will not extend to France's iconic cafe terraces however, the minister said. Electronic cigarettes, which have boomed in France in recent years, are also not covered. France already forbids smoking in public spaces such as workplaces, airports and train stations, as well as playgrounds. Anti-smoking groups had been fighting for a broader ban. An estimated 35 percent of France's population are smokers -- higher than the averages for Europe (25 percent) and the world (21 percent), according to the World Health Organization. Around 75,000 people are estimated to die from tobacco-related complications each year in France. According to a recent opinion survey, six out of 10 French people (62%) favour banning smoking in public places. The government's National Anti-Tobacco Programme for 2023 to 2027 proposed a smoking ban similar to the one announced by Vautrin, calling France to "rise to the challenge of a tobacco-free generation from 2032". But anti-tobacco organisations had voiced concern the authorities were dragging their feet on implementing the measures. More than 1,500 cities and villages had already imposed their own bans on smoking in public spaces such as parks, beaches and ski slopes. Vautrin said there were no plans to place additional taxes on cigarettes "at the moment", citing the thriving black market that emerged after existing taxes were introduced in a bid to discourage smoking.
