Android Tablet Distribution Ceremony: Strengthening Community Health Systems

The Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) recently held a symbolic Android tablet distribution ceremony, marking a significant step toward enhancing community health systems through digital tools. The event, held at the DG Health Peshawar Office , highlighted IHHN’s commitment to supporting primary healthcare delivery and advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) under the Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) program.

Launched in 2021 under the CR-19 and GC-7 grants, the iCCM program has trained over 1,000 Community Health Workers (CHWs) and supervisors across six districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Implemented in collaboration with the Department of Health, Provincial Malaria Control Program, and LHW & CMW Programs, the initiative expands access to evidence-based services for Malaria, TB, and HIV/AIDS at the community level. A major milestone has been the integration of iCCM reporting into DHIS2 via the Capture App, transitioning from paper-based systems to real-time digital reporting.

During the ceremony, 717 Android tablets were handed over to Lady Health Worker Program (LHWP) representatives for distribution to LHWs and LHSs providing iCCM services in District D.I. Khan and Nowshera. These devices are not just tablets—they are vital tools connecting frontline workers to real-time data, improving reporting, strengthening disease surveillance, and enabling faster, evidence-informed decisions at the community level.

The ceremony was chaired by Dr. Aneesa Afridi (ADG Administration) on behalf of DG-Health Dr. Shaheen Afridi and attended by Dr. Abuzar (Deputy DHO Nowshera), Dr. Khurram Shehzad (District Nowshera LHWP Coordinator), Dr. Taj Muhammad Khan (Public Health Coordinator D.I. Khan), Mr. Tauqeer Aman (LHW Program D.I. Khan), and teams from the Vector Borne Diseases and MCH Departments, DGHS-KP, and Frontier Primary Health Care.

Dr. Erum Monis (IHHN Islamabad) and Dr. Humera Atta (Project Manager, FPHC) explained the project objectives, highlighting how these digital tools enable Lady Health Workers to provide better data, improved coordination, and ultimately, stronger health outcomes for the communities they serve