Lilongwe-WHO Malawi Country Representative a.i., Dr Charles Kuria Njuguna joined the Malawi Government in launching the Implementation Plan for Executive Order No. 2 of 2026, a bold and transformative step toward protecting public health through improved sanitation and hygiene.

The Order, decreed by His Excellency the State President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika, mandates the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in all public places, workplaces, and schools signaling a decisive national shift toward #prevention as the foundation of #health.

Speaking at the launch, jointly held with the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Health - Malawi, Minister of Health Hon. Madalitso Baloyi, MP, highlighted that poor sanitation continues to drive diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and malaria.

“Sanitation is not a privilege, but a necessity that directly impacts health, dignity, and productivity. As such, it requires responsibility at the individual level,” she said.

She noted that the directive requires markets, bus depots, car parks, recreational facilities, and institutions to install and maintain proper waste management systems, an effort expected to improve environmental hygiene and reduce disease outbreaks.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Ben Malunga Phiri, MP, said councils have already been instructed to implement the Order at the community level, emphasizing the importance of local ownership.

“Sanitation begins where people live and work. Councils have been directed to designate officers to coordinate implementation and ensure compliance,” he said.

Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Francis Folley, MP, underscored that quality learning environments depend not only on classrooms and teachers, but also on access to #safewater, adequate sanitation, and effective waste management systems.

The launch also marked the presentation of the implementation plan to partners, including WHO Malawi. Government handed over eight specialized waste management vehicles to #Lilongwe, #Blantyre, #Zomba, and #Mzuzu city councils, as well as to central hospitals Kamuzu Central Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Mzuzu Central Hospital, and Zomba Central Hospital. Procured with support from The Global Fund, the vehicles will enhance waste collection and transportation systems.

This milestone reflects strong inter-ministerial collaboration and a shared commitment with the World Health Organization (WHO) to build healthier communities through prevention, environmental health, and sustainable sanitation solutions.

The launch concluded with a clean-up exercise at Phwetekere Market in Area 36, Lilongwe, demonstrating leadership in action and reinforcing the vital role of community participation in safeguarding public health.

Leading from the front, Hon. Baloyi underscored the urgent need to maintain clean, safe, and dignified environments in markets and other public spaces.

This collective effort reflects the Malawi Government’s unwavering commitment, working in close partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote hygiene, prevent disease, and build healthier, more resilient communities across the nation.