Category: People
Using Better Data to Protect More Kids
Apr 25, 2016
Did we vaccinate all the children we intended to this month? How many children do we expect next month and will we have enough vaccine supply in stock? How are we performing in terms of service provision?
Read MoreCountries Gather to Share Lessons Learned on Electronic Immunization Registries
Apr 21, 2016
Implementing electronic immunization registries (EIRs) is not an easy process yet several countries have been and continue to be successful in this. In April, the Improving Data Quality for Immunizations (IDQi) project sponsored a regional meeting of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) for countries in the Americas and Africa (with representation from Tanzania, Zambia, and The Gambia) to share lessons learned about the development and implementation of various EIRs.
Read MoreVideo: Better Data. Better Decisions. Better Health
Apr 14, 2016
We are excited to share our first video in a four-part series! Told from the perspective of the health workers currently using BID solutions in Arusha Region Tanzania, we created these videos to provide an inside look at the BID Initiative on the ground.
Read MoreBalancing Low & High Tech Solutions
Mar 30, 2016
The BID Initiative is not a technology project. From the beginning, we have stressed this important point among our global partners, country governments and with health workers. But why is this so paramount in our approach?
Read MoreInvesting in Tanzania and Zambia
Mar 24, 2016
As we officially start the second half of our BID Initiative grant, we took some time to reflect on our accomplishments to date as well as the challenges we’ve faced and the lessons we’ve learned. Over the last year, we’ve made incredible progress in designing, testing and rolling out interventions.
Read MoreUAG Tests the Immunization Registry in Zambia
Mar 17, 2016
All software developers know that for a system to be truly useful, it must be accepted by the users. In February, after months of development, the BID Initiative Zambia hit the road for the first ever user testing with the User Advisory Group (UAG) to get a sense of how the immunization registry performed with the people who will actually be using it.
Read MoreA Focus on Strong Health Systems and Data Use at MCIA
Mar 10, 2016
At the inaugural Ministerial Conference on Immunization in Africa (MCIA), there weren’t questions around the BID Initiative’s success to date, but how soon could we scale across our two demonstration countries to strengthen health systems and create a data-use culture.
Read MoreMatrona Reaches More Children with Tanzania’s Immunization Registry
Mar 2, 2016
On a recent visit to Terrat Dispensary in Arusha City Council district, I sat down with nurse Matrona Silayo to discuss her role and how the new electronic immunization registry is positively impacting her work. At the facility, Matrona’s role largely involves work in the Reproductive Child Health clinic to manage stock, administer vaccines, create reports, and educate mothers on general child health and immunization.
Read MoreHow do we improve health around the world?
Feb 24, 2016
Improving poor data quality and use is a complicated problem to solve. There isn’t a single, one size fits all solution that can truly address this challenge in a scalable, sustainable way. At the BID Initiative, we believe that the collection of multiple interventions is key to helping address data quality and use challenges. We need a holistic investment in data management policies and practices, information system products, and the people who will use them.
Read MoreCelebrating Progress, Looking Forward: the BLN Discussion Meeting
Feb 11, 2016
International development is a collaborative effort, and the BLN Discussion Meeting showed collaboration at work. Held in Arusha, Tanzania from December 7 to 10, the BLN Meeting was a chance for over 60 representatives from fifteen countries and various partner organizations to discuss the challenges and successes of developing and implementing eHealth strategies and data use interventions.
Read More