Africa-Press – Eswatini. A digital solutions innovation hub, designed to integrate operations with an electronic health record and quality service delivery, has been launched at The Luke Commission (TLC).
The Silulu Innovation Hub is a digital platform that integrates business operations with an electronic health record, empowering high efficiency, transparency, and quality service delivery. It was developed over the last seven years. The innovation hub was opened yesterday at TLC Miracle Campus during the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Ambassador, Dr John Nkengasong’s visit.
Making her remarks during the launch, TLC Managing Executive Director Echo Vanderwal said Silulu was a Siswati word that meant the incubation of ideas and storage of knowledge. She said TLC always had, and always would be a solutions-focused team, stating that they loved innovating for change for the good of the nation. “Patient-focused digital solutions have transformed healthcare delivery at TLC, and we believe these solutions can be applied, not only in other health facilities, but also across other sectors in Eswatini and beyond,” Vanderwal said.
She added that the hub offered some of the highest impact at the lowest cost, translating to more and better care for every person. She said among the innovations developed at Silulu was Luvelo, TLC’s customised digital ecosystem. On another note, Vanderwal said they were grateful for PEPFAR’s contributions in public health over the past three decades, and were particularly grateful for its leadership through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, including advocacy for COVID-19 vaccine for African countries.
She further extended her gratitude to the ambassador on behalf of herself and her husband, Harry, for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Programme, which provides loan forgiveness to those working in the public sector for a decade or more. “This programme along with support from Harry’s uncle and aunt helped us retire all debt from medical school and fully focus on the work here in Eswatini. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you,” she expressed.
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Vanderwal highlighted that from the beginning, they were supported by friends and family – grassroots or super glue partners. She said they were forever grateful for the love, prayers, and financial gifts from Americans who gave out of commitment instead of abundance. Vanderwal recalled an indelible moment in her life back in 2009, where the team was serving at a mobile hospital outreach in a rural area. “We saw hundreds of patients. We gave out 24 wheelchairs, finishing at 2am. During the outreach, two people I had never seen before walked up and introduced themselves. They said they were from the US Agency for International Development (USAID). They had been sent out to learn more about what TLC was doing,” Vanderwal recounted.
Meanwhile, she said the meeting was the start of a longstanding friendship between USAID and TLC. Vanderwal stated that since 2011, USAID, principally through PEPFAR, had supported TLC’s work in prevention, care and treatment of HIV, TB, and COVID-19 through grant funding. She said this funding was a gift of love and compassion from the American people to the people of Eswatini, adding that they were profoundly grateful. “USAID has supported us and helped build our capacity to serve the most isolated and underserved populations of Eswatini, and we are truly thankful,” Vanderwal quipped.
She reiterated that the friendship was personal and that every day during the darkest days of COVID-19, Vanderwal said Chris Detwiler, USAID Country Director for Eswatini, called them personally to make sure they were alright. She echoed that they would never forget this kindness and clear demonstration of humanity. She said they were particularly appreciative of USAID’s support of the 2500 LPM medical gas production on the Miracle Campus.
She added that along with several other champions, PEPFAR and USAID believed in oxygen independence for Eswatini when many others thought it was not possible. “This belief translated into what is the largest PSA oxygen production plant in Africa, capable of serving all the oxygen needs of Eswatini. This plant helped cut the COVID-19 mortality rate by more than 50 per cent between the second and third waves of COVID-19 in Eswatini,” Vanderwal revealed.
PEPFAR Ambassador Dr Nkengasong said they were proud of the incredible work at TLC Miracle Campus and the impact PEPFAR had in Eswatini. Dr Nkengasong said it encouraged them to do more.
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