By Carolyn Khola

Lilongwe, August 1, Mana: Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare is migrating from manual data management to digital information management system called Child First Software (CFS) in Child Care Institutions (CCI) as one way of improving accuracy and efficiency during operations.

This was said on Monday during the District Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting at Lilongwe District Council offices.

Child Development Officer in the Ministry, Kondwani Mhone highlighted that migration will help increase accuracy and have reliable data when tracking children status in the system.

“The transition will enable us, as a ministry, to have all data related to CCI be available in the system. We will be able to register the child, monitor them and be able to improve in service delivery since all information pertaining to the child is captured in the system.

“We believe the CFS will help us address challenges that come in data management in the district. The system will ease the district from so much paper work that can be lost due to fire and misplacement,” he said.

Country Director for Both End Believing (BEB), Joyce Maganga stated that her NGO will work hand in hand with the ministry to provide the software that will be used in institutions so that they can have digital records.

She highlighted that the organisation will ensure to work in a professional manner so that they can build accurate data for the district’s vulnerable children as well as providing training and mentorship support to officers who will be managing the system.

Lilongwe District Social Welfare Officer, Derrick Mwenda appreciated the development describing it as very crucial for the development of the country.

"This is a good initiative and it is helpful if well implemented. I hope it works out for the benefit of the council," said Mwenda.

BEB will be the implementing partner in the transition aimed at transforming child welfare with technology.