Globally, there is a great call for quality data for decision making especially in this era of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Thought leaders in the space of Health Information System have committed to the call for improvement of data and statistics.
The Government of Botswana is as well committed to achieving the SDGs including UHC. Botswana commits to embrace a collaborative approach, known as the Health Data Collaborative, to improve the health information system in line with the global call for more aligned and harmonised approach in implementation of priorities for improving data and statistics
In this regard, the Health sector through the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Wellness has developed the Botswana Health Data Collaborative (BHDC) Roadmap. The Roadmap outlines the strategic approach towards strengthening the health information system and monitoring & evaluation in Botswana. It outlines the key priorities areas that all stakeholders working in the space of HIS and M&E have been called to rally behind for a more efficient, effective, transparent and more accountable Health Information System.
The BHDC Roadmap further spells out smart investments that actors in the space of Health Information System and M&E in Botswana are called to adopt to strengthen basic health information and measurement systems. It also spells out common priorities around which stakeholders including partners and donors are called to align. Additionally, it presents a platform for development partners, technical experts, implementers, civil society organizations, private sector and policy makers to work together for improved health information system and M&E especially in this era of SDGs.
The BHDC Roadmap is an important management and governance tool that will assist the entire health sector in maintaining a clear focus on the goals of health information system in the country. This will ensure that the sector is working towards common Health Information Goals in a synchronized manner and is expected to result in the reduction of duplication of efforts and enhanced efficiencies in the use of existing resources.
Botswana has made substantial investments in building strong systems for health data management through adoption of advanced technology. Botswana was among the first countries in Sub Saharan Africa to roll out an electronic health system, popularly known as the Integrated Patient Management System (IPMS) to all public hospitals. Besides the IPMS, the country has other information systems (PIMS, OpenMRS, and DHIS2 etc.) which are operational at various levels.
Currently, electronic data from these different data sources go to the data warehouse through the Government Data Network (GDN). In summary, the country has three strong milestones in IT infrastructure: significant efforts to automate data generation and reporting processes; existence of government data network and infrastructure; and existence of a data warehouse.
However, these systems are vertical systems and do not share data readily. The full utilization of the systems is hampered by factors such as unstable power supply; poor internet connectivity; lack of systems integration (interoperability); limited capacity among health care workers; poor enforcement of SOPs for introduction of new software within the sector.
It is in the backdrop of the afore-mentioned that it was necessary to establish a Digital Health TWG in order to rally the actors in the health information towards a common Health Information System for purposes of efficiency, transparency, accountability and ultimately a better improved health system.