NEWS
In March 2024, healthcare workers in 123 health centres of Zomba, Thyolo, Mangochi, Dedza, Mzimba North, and Nkhatabay districts lauded the R4H Medical Sample Transportation Program. Davie Jere, HSA at Dzindevu Health Center in Dedza, emphasized how the program fills the gap in providing timely clinical sample transportation to the laboratories and results back to the health facility. For instance, TB samples and EID-positive results are swiftly transported, aiding prompt clinic decisions. Feedback from other health facilities like Chintheche Health Centre in Nkhatabay and Hoho Health Centre in Mzimba district echoed appreciation for the program’s efficiency in sending samples to the laboratory and delivering results back to the health facilities in time.
Some of the notable successes where R4H couriers assist health facilities are cases where they transport other samples like Plasma which were missed out by the facility transport. This happened at Namwera Health Centre in March 2024, where Felix Masakasa, R4H Courier was asked to transport a Plasma sample to Mangochi District Hospital when it was realized that the facility transport had already left for the DHO and the sample was left out. Similarly, it was reported that R4H couriers also play a vital role when there are emergencies requiring immediate administration of treatment, for example, on certain occasions couriers are sent from Mtakataka Police Training School in Dedza which is situated 43 kilometers away from the DHO, to collect medicine from the District Hospital when needed immediately.
It is encouraging to hear healthcare workers express their satisfaction with the Sample Transport program and highlight any challenges for improvement, ultimately this is leading to improved clinical sample transportation services by R4H.
