Rapid short message service speeds health data collection and feedback in Malawi

Author(s)
Chitekwe, S. and Chinyama, V.
Publication language
English
Date published
01 Jan 2012
Type
Blogs
Keywords
Accountability and Participation, Accountability to affected populations (AAP), Comms, media & information, Innovation
Countries
Malawi
Organisations
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
Link
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/malawi_52308.html?goback=.gde_4422950_member…

The short message service (SMS) is proving to be a great ally in Malawi’s battle to contain malnutrition and improve the lives of the country’s children.

Since January of 2009, UNICEF - in collaboration with Columbia University - has been supporting the Government of Malawi in piloting the use of RapidSMS for nutrition surveillance on three different sites - in Dedza, Salima and Kasungu districts.

The project aims to greatly reduce the time needed for data collection at health centres and data transmission to health offices at the district and national levels. It also aims to improve data sharing, provide instant data validation, and enhance the ability of nutritionists to provide real-time feedback to health workers on the treatment needs of each individual child.