Data and Digital Health
Data and Digital Health
Digitizing Uganda’s Health Supply Chain
With support from USAID, MSH and Uganda’s Ministry of Health pioneered the country’s first electronic Emergency Logistics Management Information System, also known as eELMIS. The system provides real-time data on the availability of medicines and medical supplies at both national and district levels, raising local awareness on the power of data and enhancing abilities to use data to drive continuous improvement of supply chain performance and strengthen stewardship capabilities during any public health emergency. MSH, under the USAID Strengthening Supply Chain Systems Activity, is continuing to work with the Ugandan government to support the eELMIS during the COVID-19 response.
Data and Digital Health Technology
MSH applies the principles for digital development to implement scalable, interoperable tools that strengthen health systems. Our approach to digital health is grounded in principles of MSH’s whole system approach and our commitment to sustainability and alignment with national information systems and digital strategies.
MSH’s diverse footprint of information systems work includes the development of global systems, such as e-TB Manager; health resource tracking, disease surveillance, health insurance, electronic medical records, health information exchange, and performance-based financing (Rwanda); HIV case-based surveillance and electronic medical record (Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria); deployment of community health information systems for integrated management of childhood illness and mentoring of community health workers in Madagascar and Benin; and implementation of District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2)-based routine national health management information systems (Rwanda, Nigeria, Afghanistan, South Africa, Madagascar).
In recent years, the proliferation of artificial intelligence technologies in global health presents us with new opportunities to simplify data analysis by enabling natural language queries and automating targeted alerts when outbreaks or resource gaps are predicted.
AI: The Tip of the Health Information System Iceberg
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a hot topic in the world of global health. But are we asking the right questions? This new blog from MSH challenges us to focus on building a strong foundation for health data systems to ensure the most equitable use of promising new technologies like AI.