2017 ICT4D Conference

In the developing world, the use of timely, high-quality data is essential to strengthening health systems and providing efficient health services. Vital Wave was engaged in a Data Use Partnership (DUP) to improve information systems and increase the use of data in health care delivery in Ethiopia and Malawi. Vital Wave supported the Ministry of Health in Ethiopia in developing a strategy for their Information Revolution as well as an implementation plan. In Malawi, Vital Wave supported the Ministry of Health by providing a technical review of their HIS improvement and interoperability plan.

Using it's experience in the DUP project, Vital Wave will discuss the foundational elements or activities that are required to help to bring projects to scale. For instance, the firm worked with the Ethiopian government to create a data dictionary and master facility registry - elements that are foundational to building a sustainable digital health architecture.

In addition, the firm will talk about its approach to partnership that was taken with the government and other partners within the overall project. For example, Vital Wave seconded staff to the FMoH to support stakeholders in finalizing the strategy for the digitization of the family folder, testing and optimizing digital solutions, and iteratively design the system with input from user advisory groups. The building of local capacity and encouraging ownership from the government is crucial for scale.