 From 2008 until 2009 he was Minister of Health.He is credited to have been one of very few effective Health Ministers bringing together all health sector partners to provide quality services.As Vice President, he would later use this experience as minister of health to quell a health staff boycott over allowances at Kamuzu Central Hospital in June 2012.His return also saw the return of essential drugs into Malawi public hospitals which are the largest healthcare services for the poor after months of pharmacies running dry.