African Local Governance Journal (Public Admin/Political | 09 April 2006
Digital Health Records in Rural Malawi: An Impact Assessment on Patient Outcomes,
K, e, d, i, k, i, l, i, S, i, m, a, e, t, t, i, ,, M, p, h, o, M, u, m, b, a, ,, C, h, i, n, a, z, a, C, h, i, t, u, w, o
Abstract
Digital health records (DHRs) have been introduced in rural Malawi to improve patient outcomes and service delivery. A mixed-method approach combining quantitative data from facility records and qualitative interviews with healthcare providers. DHRs improved timely medication administration (25% increase) and reduced patient wait times at clinics by 10%, leading to better health outcomes. While DHRs showed promise, ongoing training for staff and secure data storage remain critical challenges. Enhance IT infrastructure support, provide continuous staff training, and ensure robust cybersecurity measures are implemented.