Government through the Ministry of Health has directed all health facilities in the country to stop mandatory requirement of demanding police reports from people who present with history of assault, accident or general injury before being accessing medical care.
According to a circular dated June 28 2022 signed by Secretary for Health Doctor Charles Mwansambo and addressed to all Hospital Directors, All Directors of Health and Social Welfare and copied to Attorney General, Inspector General of the Police and Registrar of Medical Council, which avantmalawi in possession, the requirement has been lifted with immediate effect.
Through the circular, Mwansambo said every person is entitled to access health care regardless of circumstances that lead to the injury or sickness, hence discrimination of persons in any form is prohibited.
Mwansambo added that the practice has also a potential to endanger people who may require immediate medical assistance to survive.
He also noted that in the event that there is an obligation to report to Police, like in cases of road accidents, the law does not require that the person reports or obtain police report first before accessing medical attention. Adding that the law gives the person who is duty bound to report to Police within a maximum period of 48 hours.