Who Holds the Record · country brief · data as of 2026-10-01Who holds the health record in Malawi?
In 2026, Malawi scores 40 of 100 on a person's right to see, control and share their own health record: rank 96= of 196 countries (likely range 70 to 119), in the Weak band (25 to 44). Who holds the keys: Institutional. Source: Who Holds the Record, SuperTruth, data as of 2026-10-01.
Malawi's 2024 data law gives a 30-day right to a copy, but most patients still carry their record in a paper health passport.
Published · updated · data as of 2026-10-01 · research tool, not legal advice
Can I get my health records in Malawi?
Access to the full record scores 50 of 100 in Malawi, against a median of 43 across 196 countries. Section 19 of the Data Protection Act 2024 gives a right to a copy of your data in electronic form within 30 days, free where practicable. There is no patient portal, and most people hold their own record in a paper health passport.
Can I control who sees my health record in Malawi?
Control and consent scores 30 of 100 in Malawi, against a median of 30 across 196 countries. Health data may be processed without consent for public health or the public interest, and the new shared record gives no sharing choice or access log. HIV status is the exception: providers need written consent to disclose it beyond the treating team, with narrow exceptions.
Eight rights, against Botswana, Mauritius, Tanzania and the EU
| Patient access to the full record20% | 50 | 45 · 50 · 35 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patient control and consent20% | 30 | 30 · 32 · 30 | |
| Privacy and security15% | 50 | 58 · 55 · 48 | |
| Connected care journey15% | 40 | 28 · 30 · 48 | |
| Protection from commercial use10% | 42 | 48 · 45 · 45 | |
| Clinician access at the point of care10% | 30 | 22 · 30 · 40 | |
| Research and trial consent5% | 49 | 49 · 49 · 46 | |
| Clinical AI governance5% | 25 | 40 · 28 · 58 |
Black dot: Malawi. Hollow dots: Botswana, Mauritius, Tanzania (scores on the right, same order). Grey line: median of all 196 countries. Dashed teal line: EU median. Overall: Malawi 40, EU median 61. Scores move in steps of about 5; read the rank with its likely range.
What would Malawi need to change to score higher?
Malawi sits in Weak (25 to 44); Mixed starts at 45. The two rights furthest below the 196-country median, weighted, are clinician access at the point of care (30, median 34) and protection from commercial use (42, median 45). The published rubric reads:
- Clinician access at the point of care: Treating clinicians able to see the full record across providers, under consent and emergency rules.
- Protection from commercial use: Clear limits on selling health data or using it for marketing, covering apps and data brokers as well as providers.
Which laws give health record rights in Malawi?
- Data Protection Act, 2024 (Act No. 3 of 2024) (2024): Health is sensitive data; 30-day right to a copy; 72-hour breach notice; MACRA is the regulator.
- HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Management) Act, 2018 (Act No. 9 of 2018) (2018): HIV status confidential; disclosure needs written consent except treating providers, anonymous studies, court orders.
- Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, 2019 (Act No. 9 of 2019) (2019): Creates the regulator for medicines and medical devices; no AI or software rules found.
Strain and split context, not scored
- Doctors per 10,000
- 0.8 2024
- Nurses and midwives per 10,000
- 5.8 2024
- Private insurance + out-of-pocket
- 21.2% 2023
- Record reaches private care?
- unknown
Published stories
- 2026-03-09 · Malawi24 Health minister ends group consultations that made patients share health details with strangers
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