SURG-Africa implements a Mobile Consultation Network in Malawi

​In March 2018, SURG-Africa implemented a remote Mobile Consultation Network in the Southern Region of Malawi. This network bridges the communication and supervision gap that had existed between district level surgical clinicians with surgical teams at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre. Free of charge, this network is now bringing together over 100 district clinicians and 15 surgical experts. Watch the following videos to hear more about the experience of the teams on the ground.

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SURG-Africa Mobile Consultation Network is improving surgery in Malawi 

Martin Mulaunga, Surgical Clinical Officer, Mulanje DH describes how the network has changed the district hospitals approach to referring cases. Now they consult with expert providers and discuss each case before making decisions, avoiding unnecessary referrals to the central level. Dr. Patrick Mapemba, Medical Officer Chiradzulu DH explains the merits of receiving feedback straight away through the forum, which has improved how they prepare patients for their journey to the central hospitals.  ​ 

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​Prof. Eric Borgstein on benefits of the SURG-Africa Mobile Consultation Network 

Prof. Eric Borgstein, a Paediatric Surgeon at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital notes how the network has enabled his staff to give immediate feedback to district clinicians. Through the network, unnecessary referrals have been avoided saving both time and expenses for patients and their families. 

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​Dr. Tiya Kapalamula about learning benefits of the SURG-Africa Mobile Network 

The network has enabled district clinicians to ask surgical experts at the central level about how to manage referrals. Since the introduction of the network, Dr. Tiyamike Chilunjika Kapalamula, a Paediatric Surgeon at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital describes how the quality of the condition in which they receive patients has vastly improved.

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​Dr. Patrick Noah on SURG-Africa Mobile Consultation Network: it made us like family 

‘Perfect’ is what Dr. Patrick Noah, Head of Surgery College of Medicine, at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital calls the improved communication between district and central hospitals created by the Clinical Support Network. He speaks about the knock-on benefits that this supervision has for improving the quality of care for patients at the district level.