Category: News
New efforts to improve immunization data quality and use
Jan 4, 2018
As the BID Initiative initial grant comes to a close, we have been exploring ways to leverage our current learnings and further explore knowledge gaps around data use. PATH was recently awarded a grant in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to do just this.
Read MoreNavigating digital transformation: 8 trends defining the future of global digital health
Dec 7, 2017
Whether on the political, scientific, or cultural front, the world today is in a state of flux. Reviews from BCG, McKinsey, Deloitte, and Accenture highlight major demographic shifts, the increasing importance of technology in health, and the convergence of business and technical considerations. Digital platforms and solutions are emerging as a source of hope, inspiration, and connection.
Read MoreThe 2017 Global Digital Health Forum – Celebrating new ways of thinking for global digital health
Nov 27, 2017
The annual Global Digital Health Forum is scheduled for December 4-6th in Washington DC. Though the Forum features amazing presentations every year, one of the most valuable aspects of this event is having the world’s digital health implementers, donors, and champions in one space. The dialogue and strong relationship building between ministries of health leaders, technical developers, and other players in our field is what makes this conference special.
Read MoreBill Gates visits BID Initiative, helps launch next phase of Tanzania’s Data Use Partnership
Aug 16, 2017
Last week, the BID Initiative was honored to host Bill Gates for a visit celebrating Tanzania’s progress and commitment to embracing a culture of data use within its health system. After completing the Arusha region, BID recently announced its plans to expand data use and data quality interventions to two new regions in the country – Tanga and Kilimanjaro.
Read MoreAnnual report indicates better data, but stagnating vaccination rates
Aug 4, 2017
Childhood immunization is one of the best investments a country can make. The world has made great strides in recent years, and we are closer to ensuring that no child is left unreached by lifesaving vaccines. But despite this progress, coverage has stagnated globally, and one in ten infants worldwide don’t receive a single vaccine. Each year, the WHO and UNICEF release an annual report that estimates global immunization coverage. The report offers a snapshot of the world’s progress toward achieving the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP).
Read MoreZambia’s First Lady praises progress as the BID Initiative celebrates improvements in data quality and use
Jul 27, 2017
On Friday, staff from the Zambia Ministry of Health (MOH) and the BID Initiative waited eagerly in a grand ballroom. Staff dressed in colour chitenge fabric outfits or smart suits waited for the arrival of Zambia’s First Lady, Mrs. Esther Lungu and Dr. Chilufya Chitalu, the Minister of Health. Mrs. Lungu is an advocate for maternal and child health, and her strong stance on immunization supports BID Initiative’s objectives.
Read MoreZambia celebrates its progress and commitment to better data
Jul 21, 2017
Today, the BID Initiative is celebrating its partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Zambia, and the formal release of the Zambian electronic immunization registry (ZEIR). In a showcase event Zambia’s First Lady Esther Lungu, and the Permanent Secretary of the MOH, Dr. Jabbin Mulwanda, among other special guests will jointly celebrate progress toward fostering a culture of data use among healthcare workers (HCWs) to improve immunization coverage throughout the country.
Read MorePATH’s 40th and the future of digital health
May 18, 2017
Imagine walking for several kilometers to vaccinate your baby, leaving at dawn and following the dusty road between your village and the nearest health facility 40 kilometers away. When you arrive, there is no one staffing the welcome desk. The clinic is short-staffed and the queue in the waiting room requires at least an hour wait. When it is finally your turn, the vaccine your baby needs is out of stock. You’ll have to come back another day, but by that point you’re outside the recommended window for vaccination, and your baby is at higher risk for infection.
Read MoreVietnam’s Digital Immunization Registry: Important lessons and parallels to BID Initiative
Apr 20, 2017
It used to take Ms. Linh more than a day to generate a list of immunization patients at the Phu Hung Commune Health center in southern Vietnam. Ms. Linh was responsible for manually entering each name and record into paper registers before personally delivering invitation letters for the upcoming clinic. These days, it takes a fraction of that time – just 15 minutes on the computer.
Read MoreHumanizing data: Permanent Secretary of Tanzania discusses road map to better health
Apr 13, 2017
As the African proverb reads: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. When the Government of Tanzania first introduced its eHealth Strategy in 2013, it knew the success of the ambitious mandate depended on forging strong partnerships. The effort to adopt and apply information communication technology (ICT) throughout the health sector could transform the delivery of quality healthcare services, but not without careful investments and coordination across sectors and partners.
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