A rescheduling heuristic for the single machine total tardiness problem

In this paper, we propose a rescheduling heuristic for scheduling N jobs on a single machine in order to minimise total tardiness. The heuristic is of the interchange type and constructs a schedule from the modified due date (MDD) schedule. Unlike most interchange heuristics that consider interchanges involving only two jobs at a time, the newly proposed heuristic uses interchanges that may involve more than two jobs at any one time. Experimental results show that the heuristic is effective at reducing total tardiness producing schedules that either similar or better than those produced by the MDD alone. Furthermore, when applied to some test problems the heuristic found optimal schedules to all of them

Farmers’ ethno-ecological knowledge of vegetable pests and pesticidal plant use in Malawi and Zambia

While pests are a major constraint in vegetable production in many parts of Southern Africa, little is known about farmers’ knowledge and management practices. A survey was conducted among 168 and 91 vegetable farmers in Northern Malawi and Eastern Zambia, respectively, to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes and traditional management practices in tomato and crucifers (brassica). All respondents in Malawi and Zambia reported pest damage on tomato and crucifers, and 75% had used synthetic pesticides. The use of pesticidal plants, cultural practices and resistant varieties constituted a smaller portion of the pest control options in both crucifers and tomato. Over 70% of the respondents were aware of pesticidal plants, and more female (75%) than male (55%) respondents reported using them. While over 20 different plant species were mentioned by respondents, Tephrosia vogelii accounted for 61 and 53% of the pesticidal species known to respondents in Malawi and Zambia, respectively. Farmers with small landholdings were more inclined to use pesticidal plants than those with medium and large landholding highlighting the importance of this management alternative for poor farmers. Most respondents were willing to cultivate pesticidal plants, which indicate that farmers understand the potential value of these plants in pest management

WASH in health care facilities: reinforcing existing structures and best practices

Adequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is essential for health care facilities (HCFs) around the world. The World Health Organization recently developed a tool to address these concerns, known as the Water Sanitation and Hygiene Facilities Improvement Tool (WASH FIT). Embangweni Mission Hospital in Northern Malawi started implementing the tool in July of 2017. The tool utilizes existing facilities and organizations for a comprehensive approach to WASH improvement. Therefore, appropriate foundations for successful implementation are important to recognize and foster. Existing facilities, committees, infrastructure and resourcefulness of staff have all meaningfully contributed to the unique implementation in Embangweni. The foundations from Embangweni can help provide insight to WASHFIT implementation in future locations

Faecal sludge management in peri-urban Malawi: investigating the policy gaps

Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) in peri-urban settlements of most developing countries has gained recent attention. This is due to rapid urbanisation resulting in the mushrooming of informal settlements and onsite household sanitation facilities where there is a lack of sewer systems. A number of initiatives aimed at improving FSM have been reported in South Africa, Uganda, Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. Yet, the main focus in these countries has been emptying and disposal/treatment of faecal sludge. Little has been done on policy formulation to guide stakeholders on what should be done at each stage of the sanitation chain. This paper identifies the complementarities and antagonisms of existing pieces of legislation pulling lessons learned from other countries and how it applies to Malawi. The work also proposes Faecal Sludge Management Policy criteria for Mzuzu City Council in Northern Malawi and other similar situations worldwide

Implementing a national health research for development platform in a low-income country – a review of Malawi’s Health Research Capacity Strengthening Initiative

Background National health research for development (R4D) platforms in lower income countries (LICs) are few. The Health Research Capacity Strengthening Initiative (HRCSI, 2008–2013) was a national systems-strengthening programme in Malawi involved in national priority setting, decision-making on funding, and health research actor mobilization. Methods We adopted a retrospective mixed-methods evaluation approach, starting with information gleaned from reports (HRCSI and Malawian) and databases (HRCSI). A framework of a health research system (actors and components) guided report review and interview guide development. From a list of 173 individuals involved in HRCSI, 30 interviewees were selected within categories of stakeholders. Interviews were conducted face-to-face or via telephone/Skype over 1 month, documented with extensive notes. Analysis of emerging themes was iterative among co-evaluators, with synthesis according to the implementation stage. Results Major HRCSI outputs included (1) National research priority-setting: through the production of themed background papers by Malawian health researchers and broad consultation, HRCSI led the development of a National Health Research Agenda (2012–2016), widely regarded as one of HRCSI’s foremost achievements. (2) Institutional research capacity: there was an overwhelming view that HRCSI had produced a step-change in the number of high calibre scientists in Malawi and in fostering research interest among young Malawians, providing support for around 56 MSc and PhD students, and over 400 undergraduate health-related projects. (3) Knowledge sharing: HRCSI supported research dissemination through national and institutional meetings by sponsoring attendance at conferences and through close relationships with individuals in the print media for disseminating information. (4) Sustainability: From 2011–2013, HRCSI significantly improved research systems, processes and leadership in Malawi, but further strengthening was needed for HRCSI to be effectively integrated into government structures and sustained long-term. Overall, HRCSI carried out many components relevant to a national health research system coordinating platform, and became competent at managing over half of 12 areas of performance for research councils. Debate about its location and challenges to sustainability remain open questions. Conclusions More experimentation in the setting-up of national health R4D platforms to promote country ‘ownership’ is needed, accompanied by evaluation processes that facilitate learning and knowledge exchange of better practices among key actors in health R4D systems

Southern Africa Consortium for Research Excellence (SACORE): successes and challenges

Copyright © Mandala et al. Open access article distributed under the terms of CC BY.Published Online November 13, 2014 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(14)70321-

Motivation of health surveillance assistants in Malawi: A qualitative study

Background: Motivation of health workers is a critical component of performance and is shaped by multiple factors. This study explored factors that influence motivation of health surveillance assistants (HSAs) in Malawi, with the aim of identifying interventions that can be applied to enhance motivation and performance of HSAs.Methods: A qualitative study capturing the perspectives of purposively selected participants was conducted in two districts: Salima and Mchinji. Participants included HSAs, health managers, and various community members. Data were collected through focus group discussions (n = 16) and in-depth interviews (n = 44). The study sample was comprised of 112 women and 65 men. Qualitative data analysis was informed by existing frameworks on factors influencing health worker motivation.Results: Our analysis identified five key themes shaping HSA motivation: salary, accommodation, human resource management, supplies and logistics, and community links. Each of these played out at different levels—individual, family, community, and organisational—with either positive or negative effects. Demotivating factors related primarily to the organisational level, while motivating factors were more often related to individual, family, and community levels. A lack of financial incentives and shortages of basic supplies and materials were key factors demotivating HSAs. Supervision was generally perceived as unsupportive, uncoordinated, and top-down. Most HSAs complained of heavy workload. Many HSAs felt further recognition and support from the Ministry of Health, and the development of a clear career pathway would improve their motivation.Conclusions: Factors shaping motivation of HSAs are complex and multilayered; experiences at one level will impact other levels. Interventions are required to enhance HSA motivation, including strengthening the supervision system, developing career progression pathways, and ensuring clear and transparent incentives. HSAs have unique experiences, and there is need to hear and address these to better enable HSAs to cope with the challenging conditions they work in

The relentless spread of tuberculosis in Zambia - trends over the past 37 years (1964- 2000)

Objective. To review trends in the rates of tuberculosis (TB) case notifications over a 37-year period.Design. A retrospective study of Ministry of Health records on TB notifications between 1 January 1964 and 31 December 2000.Setting. Zambia, sub-Saharan Africa.Methods. Retrospective analysis of case-notification data for TB of the Zambia Ministry of Health annual returns.Outcome measures. Annual TB case-notification rates and trends over the past 37 years.Results. TB case-notification data from 1964 to 2000 show a 12-fold increase over the past two decades, and apparent gains in controlling TB seen in the 1960s and 1970s have been reversed over the past two decades. A stable situation during the period 1964 - 1984 (case-notification rate remained around 100 per 100 000 population) was followed by an exponential increase since the mid-1980s. The absolute number of new TBcases increased from 8 246 in 1985 (124/100 000) to 38 863 (409/100 000) in 1996 and 52 000 (512/100 000) in 2000. Comparison of case-notification rates over the past 2 decades with neighbouring countries (Zimbabwe, Malawi and Tanzania) show that Zambia has one of the highest case notification rates in the region.Conclusions. Zambia, like many countries in Africa, is in the midst of a serious TB epidemic and there are no signs that it is abating. This increase was most likely due to the impact of the HIV / AIDS epidemic and subsequent breakdown of TB services. Concerted donor-government efforts should invest appropriately in long-term plans for TB control