Written by Cidrick George

Ready-to-use therapeutic food, locally known as Chiponde, is a free, emergency, life-saving, nutrient-rich peanut paste used to treat children aged between six months and five years suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition in public hospitals in Malawi.

However, morals have been thrown to the dogs. The once highly protected food, meant for malnourished children in government hospitals, is being stolen by entrusted workers and sold in markets — thereby denying children their chance of recovery.

Child rights activist Amos Chibwana says this is a sad reflection of declining workplace ethics and social responsibility. But Ministry of Health spokesperson Adrian Chikumbe insists such malpractice is unacceptable and that culprits are being arrested outright.

Cidrick George exposes how Chiponde, meant to save children’s lives, ends up enriching thieves while malnourished children are left in endless anguish.

The first cry of a baby signals the arrival of life. The family has grown. A new member has come, demanding more care and support. Some cries are simply calls for attention, while others are deep signs of pain, especially among the sick.

This is why children’s growth — including nutrition and immunization — is closely monitored by health authorities every month until they reach five years. One key area of monitoring is malnutrition.

Not long ago, the Ministry of Health warned the public against selling and buying Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), or Chiponde, which is meant to treat children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition in public hospitals.

Former Secretary for Health Dr. Samson Mdolo condemned the malpractice in 2024, saying it caused shortages of RUTF in Nutrition Rehabilitation Units across Malawi’s public hospitals.

We visited markets in Karonga, Mangochi, Balaka, Blantyre, Luncheza, and Lilongwe, where people were found selling RUTF at K2,000 per sachet. Some testified that they bought Chiponde from wayward hospital workers. Others admitted that beneficiaries themselves were reselling their free supplies.

In Thyolo district, for example, hospital officials instructed beneficiaries to return empty packets after use to track proper usage and curb misuse. Yet some parents sold their sachets to “partners in crime” and later presented empty packets at hospitals to secure more free supplies.

One vendor, whom we will call Ndaziona (not her real name), was selling Chiponde at K2,000 per sachet. She said:

“This is my only source of income. I buy Chiponde sachets at K1,600 from middlemen allegedly linked to health workers who avoid direct contact to reduce the risk of exposure.”

In another district, a health worker admitted that the trade is common among staff, particularly in nutrition departments, and often involves highly placed officers.

At the national level, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation has expressed serious concern, saying the malpractice denies severely malnourished children their chance to recover. Spokesperson Adrian Chikumbe confirmed that some health workers have been identified, handed over to police, and are now facing trial.

Esther Jumbe, a lecturer at Nkhoma College of Nursing, emphasized that Chiponde should only be used under expert prescription, as it is intended specifically for children under five suffering from acute malnutrition.

Timveni Child and Youth Media Organisation questioned why the Malawi Police Service is not taking stronger action. Advocacy Manager Memory Mbewe said:

“The act threatens children’s rights and undermines public trust. Anyone who truly cares about children’s welfare would not profit from a life-saving product meant for the most vulnerable.”

Child rights activist Amos Chibwana also condemned the malpractice, calling it a sad reflection of declining workplace ethics and social responsibility. He urged police to arrest vendors selling RUTF in markets to trace hospital workers supplying them.

Social commentator and youth activist Lucky Mbewe questioned the seriousness of law enforcement agencies, saying it is their duty to ensure such misconduct is not tolerated in public workplaces.

The illegal sale of RUTF not only deprives malnourished children of life-saving treatment but also undermines public trust in the health system. Despite government warnings and public concern, the malpractice continues openly in markets across the country, pointing to serious gaps in enforcement and accountability.

If Malawi is truly committed to protecting children’s lives and safeguarding public resources, authorities must urgently investigate the source of market supplies, hold those responsible accountable, and permanently close all loopholes.

The health future of the nation’s most vulnerable children depends on doing things the right way, with collective stakeholder support and timely decisive action.