Information Systems for the Mozambique Expansion Program

August 18, 2011

I joined VillageReach Mozambique in June of this year as the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. With previous experience working with other nongovernmental organizations and government in the area of health information, I was excited to work with VillageReach to strengthen the health system with evidence-based decision making. Since I joined, I have had the opportunity to make several visits to the provincial offices and health centers, and I’ve seen first-hand the role of information in the health system.

Information is the key to success of any organization, including the government. The Ministry of Health in Mozambique has made significant investments to improve the national Health Information System in recent years. Evidence of this investment can be seen in the public strategic plan.

As partner to the Ministry of Health, VillageReach has also made a great contribution to this investment in information through the implementation of vrMIS to support the operations of the Dedicated Logistics System (DLS). This system has helped contribute to improvements in the national health system, particularly through the interactive data collection process and methodology that supports the improvement in the quality of health service provision. Data collection for the DLS is completed by provincial-level Ministry of Health staff. The process includes supportive supervision and on-the-job training for health center and district staff, to help ensure ongoing communication links between the different levels of the system (province, district, and health centers). The intention is for health workers to have greater capacity to make decisions on the basis and use of data interpretation. This in turn increases the reliability of the system and the community’s confidence in the system. vrMIS – VillageReach’s management information system – has the capacity to produce reports showing stock outs of vaccines in the health centers, coverage rates of different vaccines, the state of the cold chain and the usage of rapid diagnostic tests, which contributes to the decision-making process.

While using data for decision-making is the goal, it is a very involved process to get the program to a point where we can reach that goal. The first step is to collect and enter the data correctly into the information system– a process made more difficult when operating in locations that sometimes have no electricity or internet connectivity. Next is to focus on the quality of data to ensure that the system has accurate and complete data. Finally, the data can be used for decision making. In addition to various technical challenges, this process involves changing behaviors and developing a culture that values data, all within an environment of frequent changes in health staff. Each step involves training, role modeling, and practice. In my work with multiple provinces, I am constantly working within each of these steps. When step three is achieved, a virtuous cycle is maintained as data is collected and maintained because it is internally valued. I work hard to achieve that virtuous cycle because I know it is worth the impact it will have to improve health in my country.

By Timoteo Eduardo Chaluco, VillageReach M&E and System assistant. Maputo. August 18, 2011.

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