Transforming health systems: Insights from the Global Digital Health forum

The 2024 Global Digital Health Forum, held from December 4 to December 6, 2024, brought together health care leaders from across the globe to explore the future of digital health.

Among them were key figures from the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), including DevOps Officer Mary Naboti, Senior Business Analyst Gonjetso Chinyama, Health Policy Analyst Charlie Maere, and Precious, a strategist within Malawi’s health care sector.

Their combined efforts are driving groundbreaking advancements in digital health, with a special focus on system deployment, laboratory information systems (LIS), and patient care.

Simplifying system deployment: Mary Naboti’s DevOps vision

In the fast-paced world of technology, where reliability and efficiency are critical, Mary Naboti is making remarkable strides as a DevOps Officer at EGPAF.

Her work focuses on simplifying and standardising the deployment of Electronic Medical Record Systems (EMRS) to ensure seamless integration and operational efficiency.

Naboti emphasizes collaboration and automation as the cornerstones of her approach. By fostering teamwork across different units, her team has aligned efforts to optimize production processes while leveraging open-source solutions.

This approach enables her team to proactively monitor system performance and address potential issues, such as storage limitations, before they escalate into critical problems.

“We want to be on top of our work,” Naboti explains.

“For example, if a system’s storage space hits 80 percent, we take action immediately rather than waiting for it to crash.”

Despite challenges with open-source tools that often lack critical features, Naboti’s team has developed custom solutions to enhance their operational capabilities.

These innovations have transformed system deployment by reducing downtime, enabling remote updates, and minimising errors caused by manual configurations.

“Our goal is to maintain seamless deployments and minimize system downtime,” she concludes.

“This ensures that we not only meet but exceed the expectations of the teams and organisations we support.”

Revolutionising Malawi’s Lab Information System

One of EGPAF’s standout projects, spearheaded by Senior Business Analyst Gonjetso Chinyama, is the modernisation of Malawi’s Lab Information System (LIS). Chinyama highlights that this transformation was not merely about introducing a new digital solution but about addressing deeper challenges such as outdated infrastructure and workforce shortages.

“The transformation wasn’t just about introducing a new system, it was about creating something that would stand the test of time,” Chinyama notes.

“Our focus was on building a system that could be sustainable, adaptable, and cater to the specific challenges Malawi faces.”

The streamlined LIS has drastically reduced the turnaround time for laboratory results, from over 20 minutes to just seven minutes, enhancing efficiency and patient care. The integration of inventory management systems further ensures the availability of lab supplies, addressing frequent stock shortages.

Broader perspectives on digital health integration

Health Policy Analyst at EGPAF Charlie Maere provides a broader perspective on integrating digital health tools in resource-limited settings.

He stresses the importance of tailoring solutions to the local context, ensuring that they are both sustainable and adaptable.

“It’s important to understand that the implementation of digital health tools isn’t just about the technology itself, it’s about how these tools can work in the context of a country with limited resources,” Dr Maere explains.

Ongoing training, collaboration, and trust-building are critical components of successful digital health implementation.

Dr Maere also underscores the need for continuous support and adaptation to ensure systems evolve with the changing needs of populations.

Precious’ role in driving local innovation

Precious, a key strategist within Malawi’s health care sector, has played a vital role in coordinating the LIS transformation. By fostering collaboration among government agencies, healthcare providers, and international partners, he has ensured that the system meets the needs of its users while remaining accessible and sustainable.

“Malawi’s health care revolution is driven by collaboration,” Precious shares.

“Technology must serve the people who use it. The human element is key health care workers need to be trained, involved, and supported throughout the implementation process.”

His emphasis on community engagement and continuous feedback has been instrumental in the successful integration of the LIS, empowering health care workers and enhancing patient outcomes.

Lessons for the future

The modernisation of Malawi’s LIS and EGPAF’s broader efforts offer valuable lessons for other nations striving to integrate digital health solutions.

Collaboration, adaptability, and a focus on sustainability emerge as key takeaways.

“What we’ve achieved here in Malawi can serve as a blueprint for other low-resource settings,” says Chinyama.

“Digital health solutions must be holistic, addressing not just technology but the broader healthcare environment.”

As EGPAF continues its mission, the organisation remains committed to training, innovation, and ensuring that digital health systems remain resilient in the face of evolving challenges.

“We’ve learned that digital health solutions must address the broader healthcare environment,” Chinyama shared.

“Collaboration and continuous feedback are essential.”

Dr Maere echoed this sentiment, adding, “What we’ve achieved in Malawi can serve as a blueprint. The solutions won’t look the same everywhere, but the principles of adaptability and collaboration remain universal.”

The Global Digital Health Forum underscored the potential of digital technologies to revolutionise health care systems.

From Mary Naboti’s groundbreaking DevOps strategies to the collaborative efforts in modernising Malawi’s LIS, the event showcased the power of innovation and human-centered design.

By combining technical expertise with community engagement, these leaders are paving the way for sustainable, impactful healthcare solutions that can transform lives across the globe.