Revolution in registers: How Martha Madalo is future-proofing Malawi’s healthcare system


Martha Madalo is a Senior Health Surveillance Assistant at the Ministry of Health Office in Malawi. In July 2023, she participated in a four-day workshop of the Digital Innovation in Pandemic Control (DIPC) initiative and is inspired by the opportunities of digital solutions for the immunisation system in Malawi: more efficient data collection relieves her colleagues in the health sector and minimises daily challenges such as transporting medical records or handling information gaps in patient files and follow-up care.
In addition, reporting is more accurate, complete and up to date as it is based on data. The information can be more easily retrieved and sent to the vaccine administration. This gives Martha’s Health Surveillance Assistance team clear instructions on which vaccines are needed and where.
The innovative tools also facilitate improved reporting. Relevant information can be accessed quickly, and informed decisions can be taken on immunisation and vaccination issues. In her role as Senior Health Surveillance Assistant, Martha can observe how digitalisation is advancing immunisation efforts in Malawi and sustainably improving the health landscape.

- With the help of the Digital Innovation in Pandemic Control (DIPC) initiative, further digital solutions can be introduced into the Malawian immunisation system and enable more efficient data collection.
- The introduction of innovative tools facilitates reporting in the Malawian immunisation system. Martha and her team can now access the most up-to-date data and make quick and accurate decisions based on this.