In Zambia’s Chipili District, Yande Kabongo, Clinical Officer General at Mutipula Rural Health Centre, has experienced a significant transformation in his daily work thanks to the electronic Logistics Management Information System (eLMIS). This digital tool, implemented by the USAID Electronic Supply Chain Management Information System (eSCMIS) project, has not only streamlined his tasks but also freed up time, which can be spent with clients and contributing more effectively to the health facility and the wider community.
Learning on the Go
Despite not receiving formal training on eLMIS, Yande was determined to master the system. He utilized YouTube tutorials prepared by the USAID eSCMIS project and received occasional guidance from the provincial champion. This self-taught approach has enabled him to confidently use eLMIS and ensure that his facility’s reports are timely and accurate.
Reducing Workload, Enhancing Service Delivery
Yande Kabongo, Clinical Officer General at Mutipula Rural Health Centre
One of the key advantages of eLMIS is its ability to simplify data entry by using specific codes for medicines and medical supplies. This feature has been a revelation for Yande, who previously had no knowledge of these codes.
Yande noted: “Before eLMIS, I didn’t even know that the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) had specific codes for their medicines and supplies. Now, I can quickly enter data using these codes, which not only saves time but also reduces the chances of making errors.”
The introduction of eLMIS has significantly reduced the workload for both the facility staff and the District Health Office (DHO). With Yande and his team entering data directly, the DHO only needs to verify and approve the submissions, streamlining the entire process.
Yande remarked: “It’s much easier when we handle our data entry at the facility level. We have the time to double-check everything and ensure accuracy before submitting it to the DHO, which only has to verify and approve. This reduction in workload benefits both sides.”
More Time for Community Impact
With less time spent on paperwork, Yande is now able to focus more on his primary responsibilities, including providing school health services and offering youth-friendly services. He conducts lessons with adolescents on critical health topics, such as safe sex, family planning, and gender-based violence.
He explained: “These activities are crucial in preventing early pregnancies, which can lead to maternal deaths and other complications. They also help ensure that children, especially girls, can concentrate on their education without interruptions from early marriages.”
The time saved on administrative tasks also allows Yande to respond quickly to emergencies and maternal clients, ensuring safe deliveries. Additionally, he plays a key role in the Mutipula Zonal Mentorship Hub, where he mentors other health facility staff on emergency obstetric neonatal care and long-lasting reversible contraception.
“These mentorship sessions are vital in building the capacity and confidence of health workers in our area, helping to close skill gaps and improve maternal and child health outcomes,” Yande said.
A Game Changer for Health Services
For Yande, the impact of eLMIS goes beyond just making his job easier; it has enhanced the quality of care he can provide to the community. The time saved on paperwork has allowed him to engage in activities that make a real difference to the lives of the people he serves.
Yande concluded: “eLMIS has truly been a game changer. It’s not just about efficiency; it’s about improving the overall health and wellbeing of our community.”
The successful implementation of eLMIS at Mutipula Rural Health Centre illustrates how digital innovations in health care can empower frontline workers like Yande Kabongo, enabling them to deliver more effective services and contribute to building stronger, healthier communities.