By Millicent Senava Mannah
One of the leading Non-governmental Organizations dealing with health issues in the country Jhpiego with support from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has demonstrated within the Ministry of Health and Sanitation Conference Room, on the 29th May, 2023 how the integrated e-Wallboard for interactive Data Visualization functions.
The e-Wallboard is a customized App created by Jhpiego for the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and its availability will greatly aid in the timely visualization of data, which also helps in decision-making.
This App will host all medical data related to individuals’ health in one space, like HIV, Malaria and Maternal mortality amongst others.
Jhpiego Country Director, Bendu Kosia, intimated that they are committed in supporting the Ministry of Health and Sanitation further maintaining that the tool is important for the generation of regular data and effective decision making.
She continued that the dashboard will build the capacity of the health workforce for informed decision making. ‘’This will give the Ministry an opportunity to know where there are flaws in the data and for actions to be taken,’’ she underscored.
Bendu Kosia noted that their organization will support the use of the tool in four Districts, stating how they are calling on other donors to render support in order for them to reach out to other Districts.
She also revealed how the Website for the tool will be linked to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for the data to be visible to them.
The Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby commended the organization for creating such a tool to aid the Ministry in the area of data collection and visualization.
He also commended HRSA for giving their support to Jhpiego to create such a dashboard, furthering that, he believes in the mission of the HRSA and according to him, the American people have been doing a lot in the country and how they are pleased that they are showing concern for the country.
The Minister noted that they are no longer agonized, stating how it is now time for them to achieve their goals in the next 20 years adding that, Jhpiego has made an input by creating the data base that concerns all aspects of their work.
He continued that with the dashboard, their data collection will now be easier furthering how they will not just intervene, but will also prioritize monitoring to ensure they are in the right direction.
Dr. Demby maintained that they will now be able to collect the data they want, analyze and interrogate it and most importantly proffer solutions in areas where there are flaws in the data.
George Tidwell of HRSA disclosed that they started operating in the country in 2016, stating how they have done a lot in the health sector in the country since they started their operations.
He likened the dashboard to a child with so much potentials further disclosing how they have been supporting Jhpiego to execute many projects like maternal health, malaria amongst others.
George Tidwell emphasized that it is good that they have their data in one place and one space stating how the solution to this is the e-Wallboard.
The event was climaxed with the demonstration of the dashboard on how it works and how it can be utilized and ended with a question and answer session.