Ministry of Health is optimistic that the second phase of Kuunika Project will build on the achievements of the first phase to strengthen digital and governance systems.

Ministry of Health Principal Secretary (PS) Dr Charles Mwansambo said this in Lilongwe on Friday when he presided over the launch of Kuunika: Data for Action project, which is phase two of the project.

Gross: Project will advance novel analytics

He said the project seeks to strengthen digital and data systems to support the delivery of health services as the ministry moves towards universal health coverage.

Mwansambo said: “These objectives are in line with the ministry’s vision on use of technologies for health service delivery.”

The first phase of the project saw the government being able to put in place digital architecture wholly owned and operated by the Ministry of Health.

The second phase will be implemented in the next three years through a $5 million (about K4.1 billion) grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation senior programme  officer Marty Gross said through the funding Malawi will establish a regional hub of evidence and replicable tools to support the forthcoming foundation digital health and data systems strategy for HIV. “The grant will specifically advance the next generation of novel analytics to optimise HIV testing, prevention, and treatment programmes, effectively test, pilot, and implement new digital solutions to improve HIV outcomes, and expand, sustain, and transition essential digital health capabilities within the Malawian Ministry of Health,” he said.

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