As health service delivery in most public hospitals remain compromised due to lack of funding, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) regime has banned all District Health Officers and Medical Health Officers from talking to the press.

This has been confirmed in a memo signed by Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr. Magwira, saying the decision has been arrived at due to contradictory information given out by some DHOs about the status of public hospitals in the country.

Magwira said the development has raised unnecessary panic among the general public in the country.

On his part, Minister of Health Dr. Peter Kumpalume backed the decision saying they will be sanity in terms of information dissemination.

When approached for comment, Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter Chairperson Thom Khanje expressed shock over the development, saying the move will heavily affected journalists operating from various district of the country.

Khanje also said the move is a set back to the body’s call for the enactment of the Access to Information Bill.

Meanwhile Khanje has urged the government to reverse the decision.