Migori: Strengthening the Health Information System for Evidence-Informed Decision Making

Author(s): MEASURE Evaluation PIMA

Year: 2017

Abstract:

Good-quality healthcare depends on a strong community health information system (CHIS) to measure and evaluate critical elements of care and provide accurate data for evidence-informed decision making aimed at improving services and outcomes. In 2013, MEASURE Evaluation PIMA staff began working with partners and Migori County stakeholders to help strengthen the CHIS, through baseline assessments, capacity building, strategic mapping, action plans, and consultations. The idea was to improve data availability, quality, and use to inform decision making and improve services. These collaborations developed the county health management team, which created a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) technical working group. This yielded training of trainers and countywide health workers, mentorship visits at county and subcounty facilities, development of county-level data dashboards, county health profiles, malaria surveillance bulletins, and an HIV services directory. This project also helped strengthen CHIS reporting tools and the recording of births, deaths, and a range of vital statistics measuring reproductive, maternal, child, and newborn health.

Migori County teams shared experiences with other counties and explored strategies for mutual learning. This fact sheet outlines efforts to strengthen the CHIS and promote data-informed decision making in Migori County, Kenya.