Developing What Works Best
LearningSharingDeveloping What Works Best

UAG Tests the Immunization Registry in Zambia

Mar 17, 2016

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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.

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A Focus on Strong Health Systems and Data Use at MCIA

Mar 10, 2016

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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.

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Matrona Reaches More Children with Tanzania’s Immunization Registry

Mar 2, 2016

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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.

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How do we improve health around the world?

Feb 24, 2016

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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.

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Team Member Spotlight: Liz Peloso

Feb 18, 2016

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The BID Initiative team works across three countries in the United States, Tanzania, and Zambia. This week, we learn more about Liz Peloso, Senior Global Engagement Advisor, Zambia.

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Celebrating Progress, Looking Forward: the BLN Discussion Meeting

Feb 11, 2016

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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.

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Change takes time, but not too much

Feb 9, 2016

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I have always liked this quote by Bill Gates, as it reflects both my own experience in global health as well as the changing digital health landscape. A little over eight years ago, I started at PATH. Year one was quite a shock after working for 18 years in software and international trade. The business model, the acronyms—all were new to me and I knew next to nothing about global health. But I had amazing colleagues who took the time to educate me, listening to and answering my constant questions. While we came from different backgrounds, we shared a desire to change the world.

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Community health workers consult a range of data sources while attending to a mother and child at an immunization clinic.

Data sharing that works

Jan 28, 2016

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Collecting and using data is great in theory. Data can help measure progress, streamline processes, empower decision-makers, and create a better experience overall for those receiving services. In practice though, sharing data to support these positive outcomes can be a bit messy. As people invest in and develop ownership in a data system, an agreed upon set of practices and governance rules is needed to facilitate sharing between systems.

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2015 highlights and looking ahead

Jan 14, 2016

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2016 is off to a strong and busy start, with many important events and milestones in the weeks and months ahead. Before getting caught up in the new year’s flurry of activity, I wanted to reflect briefly on all we achieved in 2015. It was a year of many highlights, some difficult challenges, many lessons learned, and the halfway point of our grant.

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Reflections from the field: Better data, better health.

Jan 12, 2016

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Last month I was in Arusha to participate in the BID Learning Network discussion meeting and visit facilities where the BID Initiative is working to enhance immunization and overall health service delivery through improved data collection, quality, and use.

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