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The Lusaka Provincial Health Director, Dr Simulyamana Aspha Choonga, has expressed appreciation to the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) and the Institute of Health Management (IHM) for their continued partnership in strengthening digital health capacity in health facilities.
Dr Choonga noted that the strategic Health Information Systems orientation programme, conducted in collaboration with the Lusaka Provincial Health Office, aims to enhance the sustainability of digital platforms and improve health service delivery across health facilities.
He emphasised that maintaining systems such as SmartCare Pro remains essential despite limited technical staff, and that the orientation is designed to equip frontline health workers with practical technical support skills. “The programme will strengthen ICT skills, improve SmartCare Pro use, and enhance troubleshooting and helpdesk support,” he said.
Dr Choonga described the initiative as a deliberate step towards decentralising technical capacity and building sustainable, locally driven support for Health Information Systems.
Dr Theodora Savory, CIDRZ ProudZ and Strategic Information Director thanked LPHO and IHM for their continued collaboration in supporting SmartCare across Lusaka Province.
Dr Savory appreciated the staff who attended the orientation and embraced the role of SmartCare champions in their facilities. She reaffirmed CIDRZ’s commitment to ongoing support and emphasised the importance of using SmartCare for data management as the health system continues to digitalise.
Dr Savory highlighted the need for all staff to receive necessary orientations to maintain continuity of care and stressed the importance of complete, accurate data to ensure data‑driven decision‑making. A total of 91 SmartCare facility champions and nine maternal and child health super users were undergoing orientation and encouraged to engage fully and apply the skills within their respective facilities. This was the last 45 staff members of group 2 being oriented in the province.
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