Secretary for Human Resource Management and Development Blessings Chilabade has said the digitisation of human resource personnel records will enhance the Department of Human Resource Management and Development’s (DHRMD’s) performance and operations.
Chilabade made the remarks on Thursday in Salima, where the Department, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Department of the Accountant General (AGD), officially launched the Digitalisation of Human Resource Personnel Files program for the Public Service.
This initiative is part of the broader upgrade of the Human Resource Management Information System (SAP-HRMIS).
Speaking during the launch, Chilabade, highlighted the importance of the project, stating that it will help reduce incidents of missing files for public civil servants in the country.
He commended the World Bank for its support and for donating essential equipment, including desktops, laptops, scanners, and projectors, emphasising that the resources will play a crucial role in the initiative.
Chilabade said,” I urge participants to take good care of the equipment and use it responsibly to ensure high-quality work during the project’s implementation.
“I commend the collaborative efforts between the Department of Human Resource Management and Development (DHRMD), the Accountant General’s Department, the Ministry of Health, and the Department of E-Government for their dedication to make this initiative a reality.
In his remarks, Duff Msukwa, Director of Human Resource Management in the Ministry of Health, acknowledged the challenges associated with manual data storage.
“We all know the decision-making process in government. We take on a huge responsibility when managing healthcare workers, but most of our data is stored in physical form, making access to information difficult,” Msukwa said.
“This delay leads to critical decision-making regarding promotions, postings, and training. When information is stored manually, it becomes difficult to retrieve and analyse. However, once digitised, it will be much easier to make informed decisions on Human Resource for Health (HRH) management,” he added.
The initiative is fully funded by the World Bank and is expected to benefit over 263,000 employees across the country.
