What We Do
Human Resources for Health
M-TECH, which previously operated as the International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) at the University of Washington (UW) was formed in October 2023 and complements the capacity of Human Resources for Health (HRH) in Malawi through secondment of technical assistants (TAs) to the MOH’s Department of HIV and AIDS (DHA), Diagnostic Department, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Elimination Program (NTLEP), Reproductive Health Department (RHD) and Lighthouse Trust
Diagnostics: M-TECH provides technical support to the national molecular laboratories to perform a wide range of laboratory investigations such as genomic sequencing and the use of GeneXpert for viral load (VL) and early infant diagnosis (EID) testing. M-TECH has also strengthened external quality assurance and assessments for international accreditation. In total, 10 molecular laboratories were accredited by the SADCAS accreditation board, including four central hospital laboratories. M-TECH also supports laboratory supply chain management aimed at reducing stock-outs of laboratory commodities, ensuring continuity of testing services.
HIV Testing Services (HTS): M-TECH supports the MOH in coordinating HTS, development of HTS policies and guidelines, and enhancing HTS capacity building. M-TECH has supported 3-Test Algorithm (HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B) implementation in the health facilities, enabling Malawi to become the first country to implement 3-Test Algorithm. Some of the guidelines that have been supported by M-TECH include HIV self-testing guidelines and 3-Test Algorithm Rapid testing and counselling guidelines.
Improving HIV Care and Treatment (C&T):M-TECH provides oversight of TB and HIV services in more than 750 health facilities in Malawi, and development of evidence-based national level guidance and policy which include the 2022 HTS and ART guidelines. M-TECH supports the coordination and implementation of C&T services at the national level, including providing guidance in treatment innovations, facilitating and coordinating training sessions, and testing new approaches in collaboration with MOH/implementing partners.
The Reproductive Health Department (RHD):M-TECH provides technical support data quality assessments and analysis to gauge the performance of the national cervical cancer program. M-TECH facilitated the development of the national M&E framework including setting up M&E system and development of M&E tools for national reporting. Further, M-TECH provided technical support in the development of national cervical cancer guidelines.
Supply Chain Management:As part of annual National Quantification exercises, M-TECH provides technical support in procurement, forecasting and quantification for all HIV commodities including testing kits (HIV, syphilis, hepatitis); ARVs, PrEP, and PEP; OI/STIs including cotrimoxazole; diagnostic commodities including AHD and hepatitis. M-TECH also supports the central warehouse operations aimed at ensuring security and accountability for commodities. In addition, M-TECH supported the IT consultant for the Department of HIV and AIDS Management.
Strategic Information (SI):M-TECH has been supporting the development and maintenance of robust and reliable M&E systems both at DHA and health facilities to enhance data use for decision making. M-TECH provides leadership in data management and analysis, and coordination of quarterly supportive supervision for HIV and TB program in all health facilities in Malawi. The data are used to prepare program data for program estimation such as development of PEPFAR COP targets, program and logistics data, epidemiological estimates for Global Fund and WHO estimates. M-TECH supports the review of HIV epidemiological estimation techniques such as Spectrum, Naomi and Shiny90 HIV epi estimates. Furthermore, M-TECH facilitates the testing of innovations in data management such as ScanForm technology, DHAMIS as well as the pilot and implementation of specially designed paper registers for easy digitization of HIV testing records and converting to electronic data.