ADF STAFF
Madagascar is looking for innovative solutions to improve its stressed health care system. A recent donation from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provided much-needed modernization.
The computer equipment and other electronic tools will help Madagascar’s Ministry of Public Health set up a web-based health information system (HIS) to compile data and statistics on health and COVID-19.
“The equipment that the U.S. government has graciously donated today will help us through harnessing the power of modern technology,” Fidiniaina Randriatsarafara, the ministry’s director general of preventive medicine, said during the August 9 ceremony. “There are so many data to collect, process, track and monitor. So many informed decisions we have to make.
“This equipment will play a key role in helping us do all of that. We would like to express our gratitude to the U.S government through USAID, the U.S President’s Malaria Initiative and its Measure Malaria project for this donation that we hope will help us achieve our goals.”
The hardware, valued at $14,700, will operate a system known as the District Health Information Software. Included were eight laptops, eight routers, four external disc drives and a printer.
The 2021 Global Health Security (GHS) Index noted that an HIS was planned for rollout but did not include electronic health records for patients.
“Electronic health records are not commonly in use in Madagascar,” the GHS report stated. “The HIS involves the submission of both routine health indicators and disease surveillance information via standardized forms to the regional and then central level.
“There is no evidence of the existence of electronic health records on the website of the Ministry of Public Health, nor on the websites of the Pasteur Institute of Madagascar (PIM) and the Charles Mérieux [Center for Infectious Disease].”
The U.S. donation will help foster technological improvements, as the hardware allows for in-depth analysis of data, trends and geographic comparisons of health indicators.
“Having accessible data is essential for effective health monitoring, planning and strategic decision-making in order to prevent and respond to emergencies and ensure access to quality services,” USAID Acting Mission Director Randy Chester said during a handover ceremony.
“The technology will enable health officials to monitor … the effectiveness of case management for COVID-19 and other health issues.”
The U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative also trains Ministry of Public Health specialists in data management and analysis as well as action-plan development to improve disease prevention and health management services.
The latest donation is part of more than $440 million the U.S. has given Madagascar since 2015 to fund health activities, including $16 million for the fight against COVID-19.