VillageReach and the Malawi Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) received a prestigious award from The National Planning Commission (NPC) recognizing Chipatala Cha Pa Foni (CCPF) or “Health Center by Phone” as a Transformative Initiative for the country. CCPF is a toll-free health hotline in Malawi that creates a link between the health center and remote communities. CCPF is staffed by trained health workers who provide information and referrals over the phone. Originally only operating in one district, the hotline is now nationwide and being integrated into the Malawian health system.
The NPC , who is forming the development plans for Malawi and oversees their implementation, hailed the VillageReach partnership with the MoHP and other stakeholders for the development and implementation of CCPF. The award is testimony of VillageReach’s work with the government to solve health care delivery challenges in Malawian communities, particularly through encouraging the use of technology in reaching communities with health information services.
The award was presented at the launch of the National Envisioning Process by the State President of Malawi, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika. The National Envisioning Consultation is the official platform to launch the processes to develop a New Vision that defines the common aspirations of all Malawians. Patience Tchongwe and Dr. Alinafe Kasiya, VillageReach country director, represented VillageReach when accepting the award.
It is possible to transform the lives of Malawians if we focus on initiatives that work and then work to scale them up. Through a multisector partnership, along with commitment and support from many stakeholders, CCPF has experienced steady national scale up and sustainability. The award is a recognition of CCPF extending the reach of the health care system to every community by providing access to certified health and nutrition information and services.