Amref Health Africa in Malawi in partnership with Ministry of Health, D-Tree and Last Mile Health are deploying and training Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) in integrated community health information System (iCHIS) for data management and utilization.
Speaking at the start of the training in Chitipa dirtrict, Amref Health Africa Digital Health Specialist, Maxwell Mhone said the importance of this activity lies in significantly improving healthcare services in the Chitipa district of Malawi.
The training is being conducted with expertise from the University of Malawi (Unima) Computer Science Department.
“It ensures that even remote and underserved communities have access to quality healthcare. The deployment of the Ichis system and tablets streamlines data collection and enhances the overall healthcare system’s efficiency. The benefits of deploying HSAs equipped with Ichis are manifold.
“They will improve the accuracy and efficiency of data collection, enabling quicker and more informed healthcare decisions. Additionally, the Ichis system promotes a holistic approach to healthcare, covering family planning, immunization, disease surveillance, and more, ensuring comprehensive health support at the community level,” he said
Maxwell Mhone further said that one of the initial challenges in this endeavor was the lack of a streamlined data collection system, leading to inefficiencies and delays in healthcare responses.
“Manual paperwork was burdensome and prone to errors. With the introduction of Ichis and tablet technology, these challenges are addressed, enhancing data accuracy and facilitating better healthcare outcomes in the Chitipa district.
“After this initiative, the healthcare landscape in Chitipa will undergo a significant transformation. The timely and accurate data collection, along with increased coverage of healthcare services, will lead to more informed decision-making and better healthcare outcomes. Communities will benefit from improved healthcare access and more targeted interventions.
“Health will improve as a result of the initiative through several means. The Ichis system ensures comprehensive health data is collected, allowing for data-driven decision-making. Timely and accurate information empowers healthcare workers to respond effectively to emerging health issues, allocate resources efficiently, and provide better care to individuals and families,” he said
The deployment and training exercise started on October 23 and will end on November 3, 2023 targeting all health facilities in the district.
Amref has procured 180 tablets, 3 laptop computers and other materials to support the training and deployment of HSA’s. About 173 HSA’a have been earmarked for the training covering all health facilities in Chitipa district.
Amref Health Africa in Malawi with support from Amref Health Africa Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya is implementing a MK 1.2 billion Technical Assistance Grant in partnership with Ministry of Health-Community Health Services Section to support implementation of the National Community Health Strategy (2023-2030).
The agreement between Amref Health Africa in Malawi and Ministry of Health aims at strengthening the capacity of the Community Health Services Section in the Malawi Ministry of Health to develop systems and mobilize resources for effective delivery of the National Community Health Strategy (2023 – 2030).
