How do countries select and use digital global goods in emergency settings? Lessons learned from the DHIS2 COVID-19 data management experiences in Burkina Faso, Mali and Suriname
Lauren Gilliss, Caitlin Madevu-Matson, Colleen Boyle, Derek Kunaka, Madina Kouyate, Rahim Kebe, Vijay Sewradj, Stephanie Watson-Grant
AbstractDigital health global goods software are accessible, adaptable and scalable tools that can contribute to strengthened health data management and service delivery. This study explored how government stakeholders in three countries (Burkina Faso, Mali and Suriname) selected digital health global goods for COVID-19 vaccine response efforts, including whether and how these digital tools were adapted and scaled, challenges that were encountered and lessons learned from the experience. Primary data were collected through 28 purposively sampled, semi-structured key informant interviews between March and May 2023 with national- and regional-level stakeholders involved in COVID-19 vaccination response efforts. Qualitative data were analyzed deductively and inductively using thematic coding. Ministries of health in each country selected District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2) as a COVID-19 vaccine tracking information system, but the system selection and configuration process differed. Key factors that most influenced the use of DHIS2 included country familiarity with the tool, urgent demand for real-time data and partner influence. Supportive supervision and reinforcement of data quality contributed to the effective use of DHIS2. Contextual factors, including adequate infrastructure and funding, posed challenges in system use. Experience using DHIS2 during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to plans for its expanded use in other health areas. Based on the findings, the authors recommend ministries of health utilize familiar global goods systems during health emergency periods, donors coordinate to streamline future digital system investments and technical and financial partners support countries to invest in the enabling environment for global goods systems to effectively and sustainably operate. Abrégé Les logiciels de produits mondiaux de santé numérique sont des outils accessibles, adaptables et évolutifs qui peuvent contribuer à renforcer la gestion des données