Piloting National Id Integration in Health Information Systems for Patient Identification in Malawi

Pierre Dindi, National Registration Bureau
Mbawaka Mwakhwawa, National Registration Bureau
Emmanuel Mkambankhani, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Thomas Ndifitsa, National Registration Bureau
Rhodric Langwe, National Registration Bureau
Ritu Mishra, United Nations Development Programme
Azhar Malik, United Nations Development Programme
Mphatso Sambo, National Registration Bureau
Noel Chikhungu, National Registration Bureau
Amos Nyaka, Ministry of Health
Yankho Luwe, Ministry of Health
Sheku Ahmed Kamara, United Nations Development Programme
Tuntufye Ntaukira, United Nations Development Programme

Background Malawi has multiple health systems that are not linked, and make it difficult to track patient outcomes. This paper describes Malawi’s approach to integrating individual-level vital registration in healthcare through unique citizen identity (UID). Description National Registration Bureau (NRB) assessed the usability of the available systems, and the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) System was deemed ideal. EMR, currently in selected hospitals, handles digital patient health records, including medical history, diagnoses, treatments, and test results, as opposed to other aggregate-level systems e.g., DHIS. NRB is developing an integration model to incorporate the national ID. Pilot implementation will be run in Karonga District. Lessons The approach creates demand & accuracy for civil registration. However, considerations regarding hardware, usability on mobile systems, and protection of personal data come into play. Conclusion EMR can be linked with a unique citizen identification for improved healthcare and delivery precision-level public health planning.