Public Health Institute of Malawi

Tag: PHIM-Event

  • Digitization of an Integrated Supervision Tool for the Malawi COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project at Kalipano Sunbird Hotel

    Digitization of an Integrated Supervision Tool for the Malawi COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project at Kalipano Sunbird Hotel

    The Malawi COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project (MCERHSP) plays a crucial role in managing the pandemic and ensuring effective healthcare delivery. One key aspect of this project is the digitization of supervision tools, which enhances data collection, analysis, and decision-making.

    The supervision tool combines elements from different domains, including disease surveillance, supply chain management, and service delivery. By digitizing this tool, we can streamline processes, improve data accuracy, and enhance overall efficiency. PHIM shall have benefit be empowered to actuate data driven decision making, for it will be able to analyze trends and patterns using aggregated data, and adjust strategies based on evidence drawn from this tool.

    Team exchanging knowledge during M&E digitized tool development

    Regina Mankhamba, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist emphasized on the need for digitization of the integrated supervision tool, she said ‘This is a significant step towards efficient and effective health systems management’.

    The integrated supervision tool shall serve as a comprehensive solution for monitoring and evaluating various health programs in Malawi at national, district and facility level. By leveraging technology, Malawi can enhance its COVID-19 response and preparedness efforts. Let’s continue to prioritize innovation and data-driven solutions for better public health outcomes.

  • NHSRC Guidelines Review Workshop – Gap Analysis

    NHSRC Guidelines Review Workshop – Gap Analysis

    The research division in the Public Health Institute of Malawi, Ministry of Health conducted a gap analysis exercise with the aim of analyzing the gaps that the old guidelines have, informing from time, experiences and recent studies.

    This activity created a good platform to see research findings being translated into practice in form of guiding the daily conduct of activities, it brought together national research institutions to see and analyze the gaps that exist and create way forward and put together key thought that can be used to update the old guidelines which are no longer practical.

    A gap analysis document was produced that compiled all gaps observed in the old guidelines which is to be used in the formulation of the updated guidelines

    The exercise was conducted in order to have baseline information that can be used to update the NHSRC guidelines to inform and guide the current practice.

  • The Training of Trainers on the Integrated Gene-Xpert Testing Program for Malawi at Dedza Pottery  Lodge

    The Training of Trainers on the Integrated Gene-Xpert Testing Program for Malawi at Dedza Pottery  Lodge

    The Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM), a leading institution in healthcare, through the Division of National Public Health Laboratory Services, with financial support from the World Bank, has organised a refresher training with a vital purpose of promoting integrated laboratory testing using the Gene-Xpert.

    The training of trainers took place at Dedza Pottery Lodge from the 13th –  17th of May, 2024. The meeting was opened by the Deputy Director of the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) responsible for the laboratory, Mr Joseph Bitilinyu Bangoh.

    IntegratedvGene-Xpert Trainees attentively listened to opening remarks by the Deputy Director of the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) responsible for the Laboratory, Mr Jospeh Bitilinyu Bangoh.

    GeneXpert is a PCR machine that amplifies DNA or RNA for viral particles and organisms. In Malawi, the machine was mainly used for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and its associated resistance to Rifampicin and Isoniazid, HIV Viral Load (VL) and Early Infant Diagnostic (EID) and later, with the coming of SARS-CoV 2, the tests were added to the machine to detect viruses.

    It is of late that the machine, with the advancing technology, is now used to detect MTB in children’s stool, following the principle that children could shed MTB in their stool after swallowing the sputum at night. Another platform was added in the detection of Human papillomavirus (HPV) in women for early detection of the virus before advancing to advanced cervical cancer. 

    This detection of multiple human infections shall trigger the laboratory to have several integrated testing activities targeting GeneXPert.

    The trainees getting clarified on a point.