SHARE project represented in EHMA
Dr. ATM Iqbal Anwar, Scientist and SHARE Project Director, Universal Health Coverage, Health Systems and Population Studies Division (HSPSD), icddr,b attended the European Health Management Association (EHMA) Porto Conference in Portugal during 14-16 June, 2016 supported by European Union’s Strengthening Public Health Institute (SPHIP) programme. As Plenary speaker from SPHIP programm, Dr. Iqbal Anwar delivered his speech on ‘Disruptive innovations in health information system’.
While mentioning District Health Information System (DHIS-2) software as a disruptive innovation in health sector of Bangladesh, Dr. Iqbal said in the conference, "I always think the North has something to learn from the South". In his presentation, he highlighted a great deal of work being done in relation to developing IT infrastructures, software development, data visualization, staff deployment and capacity building training wheredevelopment partners are working closely with government of Bangladesh to strengthen capacities of health facilities. Through using DHIS2, it has become possible for health managers to examine completeness of data, data accuracy, monitor operational plan indicators, track own performances, find bottleneck and compare health facilities. Government of Bangladesh has established a national data warehouse where electronic data from various health service providers and health programmes can be better coordinated and harmonised.
As way forward, Dr Iqbal emphasized on capacity development of health manager for data analysis, interpretation, feedback and use for better resource allocation and decision making, initiatingonline training module so that user can learn from distance and creating dashboard for each layer of user so that they can visualize and use data improving governance and stewardship.
Mr. Muhammad Masud Parvez, Analyst Programmer, SHARE project, HSPSD, icddr,b also attended the EHMA Porto Conference, and delivered his speech on ‘Health management information system: data for decision-making’.