With growing unemployment among healthcare professionals, Malawi’s government has signed a bilateral agreement with Israel to export trained nurses and midwives to Israeli health institutions.

The arrangement is touted by the Malawian administration as a means to empower its healthcare workforce through employment, skill development, and remittances to support families back home.

The initiative has been welcomed by many of Malawi’s unemployed healthcare workers, who view it as a lifeline. Christina Jere, a qualified nurse, expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “I would definitely go. I have been qualified for three years and I haven’t even been called for an interview.”

“Malawi is my home, but why would I stay in a country where I have spent so much on college fees without a job?” she added, reflecting the frustrations many young professionals feel.

Similarly, nurse Elizabeth Gondwe sees the opportunity as a stepping stone. “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,” she shared, noting her intention to return someday with improved skills and experience.

Critics Question Motives Behind Deal

But while the deal offers hope for individuals like Jere and Gondwe, it has also sparked sharp criticism. Many point to a comparable 2023 agreement that sent Malawian workers to Israel’s agricultural sector. That initiative triggered backlash amid reports of labor exploitation, poor conditions, and deportations for contractual breaches.

Critics argue that the country’s fragile healthcare system cannot afford the outflow of skilled labor. Malawi currently falls far short of the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of at least one nurse per 1,000 patients. The nation’s nurse-to-patient ratio is roughly one-third below that benchmark.

Observers have also raised eyebrows at the political implications of the deal. Some believe the move serves more to advance political ties than to address the interests of Malawians. Malawi’s increasingly close relationship with Israel diverges from the stance of other Southern African Development Community (SADC) nations.

Notably, South Africa has accused Israel of war crimes in Gaza during its war on Hamas. Meanwhile, Malawi went ahead to open an embassy in Tel Aviv in 2024, strengthening its alliance with Israel.

The optics of the Malawian government training healthcare workers only to see them depart for foreign shores has stirred domestic debate. Practicing midwife Mercy Mwalilino highlighted the economic hardship faced by many in the profession. According to her, some nurses earn as little as 3,453 Malawian Kwacha, a mere $2 a day. She estimates that only about 25% of trained nurses have found employment within Malawi’s health sector.

Concerns have also been raised about the working conditions awaiting these healthcare professionals in Israel. The earlier agricultural deal faltered after participants reported harsh conditions, fled into the informal sector, or sought asylum.

However, Mwalilino believes this new healthcare-focused agreement is more secure.

“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.”
Mercy Mwalilino

She added that nurses going to Israel could earn between $200 and $300 per month, considerably more than what many currently receive at home.

Security concerns remain top of mind for some. Concerning potential dangers of working in a region occasionally affected by conflict, Mwalilino clarified, “Those in dilemma because of the security risks will not be forced to go.”

Esther Malanga, another potential candidate for the program, is cautiously optimistic.

“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.”
Esther Malanga

According to Malawian officials, the program is designed not as a permanent brain drain but as a way to enhance skills. The expectation is that healthcare workers will return to Malawi after their contracts, bringing back enhanced capabilities.

For Malanga, that prospect is appealing. She hopes her time abroad will not only improve her professional qualifications but also contribute to her homeland upon her return.