Accelerating impact with partners in Malawi

Last year, D-tree in Malawi commenced its role as a digital health partner for the USAID MOMENTUM Tikweze Umoyo project in Malawi. The 5-year health program aims to save the lives of mothers, newborns and children. Learn more about how in this blog. 

63 % of Malawian children live in poverty and there is an estimated 438 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births – one of the highest maternal mortality ratios globally. Neonatal mortality is estimated at 29 per 1,000 live births and causes of under-five mortality are malaria, diarrhoea and pneumonia — all preventable and treatable diseases. There is a need for urgent action to respond to these challenges.

As a digital health partner for Tikweze Umoyo, D-tree in collaboration with the government and partners, will work to:

• Upskill the health workforce on the use of digital and data for improved health care. We will introduce health workers to the community health information system and build capacity on data management and visualization.
• Create stronger linkages between communities and health facilities. Through developing post-natal and newborn protocols into the integrated community health information system (iCHIS) we will improve coordination between the communities and health facilities to ensure women and children with danger signs will receive the right care at the right time. 
• Improve the way data is managed among service providers. We will accompany the Ministry of Health and partners in designing, developing and implementing digital health solutions. 

Chimango Munthali, D-tree Country Director in Malawi, says “We are delighted to be the digital health partner in USAID Malawi MOMENTUM. At D-tree, we see digital as an enabler and not a solution in and of itself and in this important initiative, we see incredible potential for digital solutions and data to improve the lives of Malawians from the bottom up (community going upwards).”

D-tree is a sub-award to Amref Health Africa in Malawi and in total seven partners are working together to deliver the program and improve health outcomes in Malawi. 

The consortium of partners have started implementing activities after a successful kick-off phase where Momentum Tikweze Umoyo was introduced to key stakeholders and partners such as the Ministries of Health, Water and Sanitation, district health management teams and executive councils. D-tree’s immediate focus is to support the Community Health Services Section (CHSS) and Digital Health Department with development of iCHIS modules alongside other partners.

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