Malawi's stocks of TB drugs running out, officials warn

Malawi is facing a critical shortage of tuberculosis drugs, with health officials warning stocks will run out by the end of September.

- Leonard Masauli

It comes just months after the World Health Organization (WHO) said the country had successfully reduced TB cases by 40% over the past decade.

In March, the WHO's country representative, Dr Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo, announced that Malawi had also seen a high rate of success in treating TB and a significant reduction in the number of deaths.

But the health ministry, which has been badly hit by the cuts in aid from the US, UK and other donors, has warned the public of low stocks of first-line TB medicines, which means patients may find their treatment disrupted or ended.