Tingathe Disability Directory—a case study of the use of the Patient Referral Tools

Many of the children living with HIV cared for by Tingathe struggle with an array of impairments, activity limitations, and challenges to daily living that can be broadly defined as disabilities. Care and treatment for these disabilities have not been considered a standard package of HIV care, primarily due to lack of awareness of what services are available. In order to address this challenge, Tingathe, in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, worked to update, expand, and improve the existing 2005 Directory of Disability Services and Organizations of Malawi.

Using the Referral Organization Information Form, information was collected from disability organizations, schools and specialty clinics across the country. The final product contains over 70 institutional entries, with further contact details for local officers and offices, along with all educational resource centres and specialty schools. The Directory also includes a special “Tools and Resources” section to assist caregivers and physicians to screen children for disabilities.

This excerpt from the directory shows a standard page layout of an institutional entry which gives information on the location, services offered, costs and the referral procedure.  Download full version here.