The World Health Organization Malawi Country Office has donated 38 000 bottles of medicines for treating scabies and assorted Information Communication Technology equipment to the Malawi Ministry of Health to improve its efficiency in health data systems. Ministry of Health Honorable Kumbize Kandodo Chiponda received the donation from WHO Representative for Malawi, Dr. Nonhlanhla Dlamini. WHO officially handed over the Information Communication Technology equipment worth close to 86 million kwacha and medicines to treat scabies on 12 March, 2021, at a ceremony that took place at the Ministry of Health’s Headquarters.

The ICT donation was made following DHIS-2 data loss that took place between March to August 2020. When DHIS-2 data was lost, WHO committed funds for data re-entry for the affected period along with DHIS-2 system reconfiguration. The 38 000 scabies medicine bottles, Benzyl Benzoate Paint (BBP) have been donated to support districts that are reporting cases of scabies such as Mchinji district in the central region of Malawi.

Malawi is among the pathfinder countries under the Health Data Collaborative (HDC), a joint effort by international agencies, governments, donors, and academics to improve health data. WHO is the secretariat for HDC whose main objectives are to; enhance country capacity to monitor and review progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3) by 2030 and universal health coverage through better availability, analysis and use of data and to improve efficiency and alignment of investments in health data systems through collective action.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, WHO Representative for Malawi, Dr. Nonhlanhla Dlamini said for Malawi to achieve universal health coverage and acceleration towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 by 2030, Ministry of Health requires accurate and timely data in order to understand how much work needs to be done, to stay on track and to keep managers accountable.

“The newly procured Information Communication Technology equipment will increase efficiency of the DHIS-2 operations, facilitate real time data entry and back up, data analysis and data use at national, zonal and district level.”

Ministry of Health, Honorable Kumbize Kandodo Chiponda underlined the value of WHO in complimenting government efforts in improving health for all Malawians.

 “In the period of COVID-19 pandemic we have learnt one key lesson that Government cannot go alone in managing public health. WHO is one key partner that works with the Ministry of Health in all areas of public health. The donation that we have receive today will go a long way in driving the delivery of universal health coverage.”

The ICT equipment that has been handed over to Malawi Ministry of Health includes; 20 laptops, 20 external disks, 5 LCD projectors, 20 MIFIs with three months internet bundles and 2 DHIS-2 servers.

In addition, WHO has recruited three international experts to assist in the COVID-19 response. They comprise two medical doctors and one Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) specialist. All three are in the country and already out in the field. They are not office-based, and the doctors will be working at the field hospitals, the treatment centres and the rest of the health facilities.